Lok Sabha Passes Groundbreaking Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023

New Delhi, 21st December 2023: In a landmark move, the Lok Sabha today passed the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, marking the end of the colonial Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. Already approved by the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session, the new legislation is poised to usher in a new era of press freedom and ease of doing business.

The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 transforms the cumbersome process of title allotment and registration of periodicals into a seamless online system. This digital approach eliminates the need for physical interactions, expediting the process for publishers, especially benefiting small and medium publishers aiming to initiate publications. Notably, the Bill eradicates the requirement for publishers to file declarations with District Magistrates or local authorities, a time-consuming aspect that hindered the industry.

Introducing the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Anurag Singh Thakur, emphasized its significance as a step towards discarding the colonial mentality and introducing new laws for a new India. The government’s commitment to ending criminality, improving ease of doing business, and enhancing the ease of living is evident in the substantial decriminalization of the colonial-era statute. Financial penalties have been proposed for certain violations, replacing convictions, and a credible appellate mechanism, led by the Chairperson of the Press Council of India, has been established.

Addressing the ease of doing business aspect, Minister Thakur stated that the title registration process, which previously consumed 2-3 years, will now be streamlined to a mere 60 days.

The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, a legacy of the British Raj, imposed stringent control over the press, printers, and publishers, accompanied by heavy fines and penalties, including imprisonment. Given the current age of a free press and the government’s commitment to upholding media freedom, the archaic law was deemed incompatible with the modern media landscape.

Salient Features of the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill 2023:
I. Grant of Title Allotment and Certificate of Registration for Periodicals:
– Introduction of a simple online mechanism for simultaneous title verification and certificate of registration by the Press Registrar General.
– Elimination of the need for a declaration before local authorities or its authentication.
– Restriction on individuals convicted of offenses involving terrorist acts or unlawful activities from publishing periodicals.
– Permission for the printing of facsimile editions of foreign periodicals in India with prior approval from the Central Government and registration with the Press Registrar General.

II. Printing Presses:
– Requirement for printers to furnish online intimation to the Press Registrar General and local authorities.
– Removal of the need for printers to file declarations before local authorities or obtain authentication.

III. Role of District Magistrate/Local Authority:
– Minimalistic role envisaged for District Magistrates/local authorities in the grant of the Certificate of Registration and title allotment.
– Provision for the Press Registrar General to proceed with the decision for registration even in the absence of comments/NOC from the District Magistrate after 60 days.
– Elimination of the requirement for publishers to file declarations before the District Magistrate.

Differences Between the Press and Registration of Books Act 1867 and the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill 2023:
– Removal of books from the purview of the PRP Bill 2023, as books fall under the Ministry of HRD.
– Online intimation filing for printing presses instead of declarations before the District Magistrate.
– Simultaneous application for title allotment and Certificate of Registration, with the decision taken by the Press Registrar General.
– Substantial decriminalization, with financial penalties and jail terms limited to extreme cases.
– Empowerment of the Press Registrar General to suspend/cancel the Certificate of Registration.

The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, signifies a pivotal shift towards a more dynamic and contemporary legal framework, aligning with the evolving landscape of media and publishing in India.