New Delhi: The Lok Sabha recently approved the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, effectively replacing the outdated Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. The Bill, previously cleared by the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session, streamlines the process of title allotment and periodical registration by introducing an online system, eliminating the need for physical interaction.
Under the new legislation, publishers, especially small and medium ones, will experience a simplified and expedited registration process, overseen by the Press Registrar General. Notably, the requirement for publishers to file declarations with District Magistrates or local authorities, as well as the authentication of such declarations, has been eliminated.
Similarly, printing presses will no longer need to provide declarations, with a simple intimation now deemed sufficient. This marks a departure from the previous eight-step process that was time-consuming.
Minister for Information & Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur, while introducing the Bill in the Lok Sabha, said it was a step towards modernising laws for a new India. The minister emphasised the government’s commitment to eliminating criminality, enhancing the ease of doing business, and improving the overall quality of life through progressive legislation.
The new law proposes financial penalties for certain violations instead of convictions, and it establishes a credible appellate mechanism led by the Chairperson of the Press Council of India. Thakur emphasised the business-friendly aspect, stating that the title registration process, which previously took 2-3 years, will now be completed within 60 days.
The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, a remnant of the British Raj aimed at exerting control over the press, printers, and publishers, has been replaced due to its incongruence with the current media landscape and the government’s commitment to media freedom.
