The Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC) has moved a step closer towards licensing private terrestrial television companies, over a year after it first sought proposals. There now seems to be a sense of urgency, because a committee has been asked to complete screening applications by this week. Eight companies have submitted their bids and some bidders tell us that they are watching to see if the government will only consider royalties in awarding licenses, or if it will also take into account issues of cross-ownership and the creation of media monopolies. They argue that licensing a company that already fully owns other media companies, such as radio and newspapers, makes it difficult for smaller companies to compete, as there are no laws to prevent larger monopolies from cross-subsidising products. They want government to develop a clear policy on cross-ownership before deciding on licensing.