BBC India Staffers Quit and Form Collective Newsroom to Comply With Foreign Investment Rules

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran Four BBC India staff members have quit and formed a new entity, Collective Newsroom, in order to comply with India’s strict foreign direct investment (FDI) in media rules.

The Indian government’s cap on FDI investment in digital news outfits is 26%. BBC World Service India is 99% owned by the BBC.

To keep with FDI rules, Collective Newsroom has been established as an Indian company, wholly owned by Indian citizens. The four BBC staffers – Rupa Jha, Mukesh Sharma, Sanjoy Majumder and Sara Hassan – will lead Collective Newsroom, which will be commissioned by the BBC to produce its six Indian language services as well as Indian digital output and Indian YouTube channel in English for audiences globally. “The establishment of Collective Newsroom Private Limited ensures the BBC and Collective Newsroom can meet their shared commitment to Indian audiences and cover stories on India that matter to global audiences.

It is in compliance with the Indian Foreign Direct Investment law,” the two entities said in a statement. The BBC was under the scanner in India earlier this year over its documentary “India: The Modi Question,” described on the BBC website as: “Narendra Modi’s premiership has been dogged by persistent allegations about the attitude of his government towards India’s Muslim population.