Govt amending law to regulate digital media
This is the first time that the digital media in India will have regulations
The government has started the process to propose changes to the Registration of Press and Periodicals Bill, 2019. The new bill will bring in a new registration regime for newspapers that will include the digital news media industry, according to media reports.
“If the bill is passed, digital news websites operating in India will come on par with newspapers, and they will have to register themselves with the Press Registrar General, equivalent to the prevalent Registrar of Newspapers in India,” said one of the reports.
Digital news sites could face action for "violations", which includes cancelled registration or penalty.
Digital news publishers have to apply for registration and will be required to do so within 90 days of the law coming into effect.
This is the first time that the digital media in India will have regulations. If the bill is cleared, digital media will be regulated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The Registration of Press and Periodicals Bill will replace the British-era Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, which regulates newspapers and printing presses in India.
