The Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has recently issued draft guidelines under the Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Rules, 2024. Said to enter a 30-day consultation period lasting until February 4, the draft rules give the Press Registrar General (PRG), the official maintaining a register of newspapers, the authority to carry out or delegate inspections via central government officers.
The PRP Act of 2023, announced on December 29, 2023 after securing approval from both Houses of Parliament as well as the President of India, aims to supersede the preceding Press and Registration of Books Act of 1867, a colonial-era law known for its complex and time-consuming registration process, as well as highly stringent consequences for minor infringements.
The newly proposed rules are designed to facilitate the PRP Act, 2023, and enable the PRG to “undertake verification of the circulation by ways of physical inspection of the documents and other information and records at the business premise of the publisher” under “exceptional circumstances”, should the need arise due to irregularities in the Annual Statement, or complaints received.
Audits could be carried out without physical presence (“faceless”) over periodicals that are eligible or aiming for government advertisements and have an average daily circulation exceeding 25,000 in the prior two fiscals. The right to order such verification rests with the PRG who can further assign this responsibility to a designated government official if required.
The draft rules outline the procedures for digital registration of periodicals via the proposed Press Sewa Portal to enhance communication between PRG and the proprietors, publishers, and printing presses. The registration process begins once an Indian applicant applies for the certificate of registration to the PRG via the portal, accompanied by a fee within 15 days of receiving the Ministry’s approval. If the applicant violates the guidelines and begins publishing before registration, PRG has the power to deny certification and notify the Ministry.
With a focus to simplify the intricate process of title and registration of periodicals, including magazines that offer commentary or public news, the PRP Act aims to achieve transparency through online applications managed by the Press Registrar General. It includes provisions for the registration of e-papers, thus bringing digital news media under its radar and furthermore proposes an appellate board to mediate registration disputes.
However, the draft rules have raised concerns among publishing communities. The Editors Guild of India, in a statement, voiced their apprehensions over “the draconian provisions” of the PRP Act, expressing worry over the expanded powers of the Press Registrar, new constraints on citizens’ ability to issue periodicals, the retained power to enter premises of news publications, ambiguity in several provisions, and uncertain implications of multiple rules on press freedom.