NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 to abolish the exisiting British-era Press and Registration of Books Act and provide for online registration.

The Bill empowers the Registrar General of Press to impose a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh for publishing periodicals without registration. Penalty will be up to Rs 20,000 initially if annual statement is not filed within stipulated time.

The Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said that the old law, which was formed in 1867, was found not suitable for the activities of modern media and was repealed. The central government explained that the bill upholds media freedom and simplifies the entire process, including granting titles to periodicals.

Conditions

The publication should be intimated to the Registrar General of the Press on the online portal and to the prescribed authority at the place where the printing press is located.

A person who has been convicted of terrorist activity, illegal activities, offense related to national security etc. cannot publish periodical.

Foreign periodicals should obtain prior approval of the central government to publish facsimile editions in India.

Periodical

A publication that publishes and prints news or comment on news at regular intervals, including a newspaper. Periodicals do not include books, academic journals etc.