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Fact check: What is the ownership structure of The Economic Times newspaper?

Checked on June 12, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The Economic Times has a clear ownership structure - it is owned by The Times Group and published by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd [1] [2]. The newspaper was established in 1961 and currently operates as an English-language business-focused daily newspaper with simultaneous publication across 14 Indian cities [1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The broader context of media ownership in India reveals that news organizations are typically controlled through various corporate structures by:

  • Business families
  • Individual owners
  • Private investors [3]

It's important to note that The Times Group, which owns The Economic Times, is actually India's largest media conglomerate [2], making it a significant player in the Indian media landscape. This context helps understand the newspaper's position within India's larger media ecosystem.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

While the question about ownership structure appears straightforward, it's worth considering several factors:

  • The simple ownership question doesn't capture the complexity of Indian media ownership structures, which often involve multiple stakeholders and corporate entities [3]
  • The Times Group's position as India's largest media conglomerate [2] means that The Economic Times' coverage and editorial decisions might be influenced by the broader interests of its parent company
  • Understanding media ownership in India requires considering the typical pattern of business families and individual investors controlling news organizations [3], which can affect editorial independence and coverage priorities

This ownership structure benefits The Times Group by allowing them to maintain control over one of India's prominent business newspapers while building their larger media conglomerate.

Want to dive deeper?
Who owns Bennett Coleman and Company Limited (BCCL)?
What is the history of The Times Group in India?
How does The Economic Times editorial independence work under its current ownership?
What other media properties does The Times Group own besides Economic Times?
How has The Economic Times ownership affected its business journalism coverage?