Historically, multiple legislations related to press regulation have been introduced in India before independence. The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, also known as the Metcalfe Act, and licensing regulations by John Adams were among such laws. These legal frameworks aimed to regulate the operations of presses and the publication of books and newspapers.
Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023.
Background: Passage of Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023
The bill was passed in August 2023 by Rajya Sabha, with the Lok Sabha following suit. This legislation replaces the colonial era law, the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867.
Main Provisions of the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023
The new bill focuses on the registration of periodicals, which comprise any publications containing news or public commentary. It excludes from its scope books and scientific or academic journals. While the older act required books, newspapers, and periodicals to be registered, this function has been removed from the new law. The responsibility for administering issues related to books now falls under the Ministry of Human Resource and Development.
Registration Processes Introduced by the New Bill
The bill allows online registration of periodical publishers via the Press Registrar General and a defined local authority. Persons convicted for terrorism or actions against state security are barred from publishing a periodical.
Safeguards Against Foreign Influence
The reproduction of foreign periodicals within India requires approval from the central government. Registration protocols concerning such matters will be set out separately.
Role of the Press Registrar General
The bill newly establishes a Press Registrar General of India who is tasked with issuing registration certificates to all periodicals. This official’s role includes maintaining a register of periodicals, creating guidelines for their titles, verifying circulation figures, and overseeing registration revisions, suspensions, and cancellations.
New Provisions for Printing Press Registration
Declarations related to printing presses can be made online to the Press Registrar General, a departure from previous rules requiring declarations before the District Magistrate.
Suspension and Cancellation of Registration
The Press Registrar General has the authority to suspend a periodical’s registration for at least 30 days (extendable up to 180 days) on account of multiple reasons. These include providing false information, discontinuing publication, or submitting inaccurate annual statements.
Penalties and Appeals
The bill gives power to the Press Registrar General to impose penalties for publishing an unregistered periodical or not providing the required annual statements on time. Individuals who do not comply with these regulations could face jail time of up to six months.
Pre-Independence Regulations Related to Press Regulation
Many of the regulations concerning press control predated independence, such as the Censorship under Lord Wellesley in 1799, the Licensing Regulations by John Adams in 1823, and the Press Act of 1835 (Metcalfe Act), among others. These legislations placed restrictions on the operation of the press, often targeting Indian language newspapers or those led by Indians. The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 intensified these controls, aiming to suppress seditious writing and maintain harmony among different communities.
Last Modified: February 22, 2024