Eenadu criticises decision

The Eenadu group of publications said yesterday it was not happy with the federal government's decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in the print media.

"It is unfortunate that the cabinet took a decision to allow 26 per cent FDI in the print media," Ramoji Rao said. Rao heads one of the largest combined print and electronic media groups in India and definitely in the south.

Rao said he presented a "very clear case" to the parliamentary standing committee on information technology in print media against allowing foreign investment.

"I was happy when the committee looked into the case and recommended against allowing FDI in the print media. But I am really not happy now with Tuesday's decision of the federal cabinet."

The group's multi-edition Eenadu Telugu daily has a claimed circulation of more than 700,000 while its Eenadu TV is beamed in nine Indian languages including in Urdu.