Government may soon regulate digital news media

Government may soon regulate digital news media: The Registration of Press and Periodicals Bill, 2019. Which will cover the Digital News Media business for the first time, is about to introduced into law by the Indian government.

The Cabinet hopes to achieve parity between digital news sites and newspapers in this way.

A list of the Bills anticipated to submit and approved during the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament make public by the Lok Sabha Secretariat on Friday.

The Press Registration Periodicals Bill, 2022, is the most significant among them.

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Government may soon regulate digital news media

The Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867. Which regulates newspapers and printing presses in India, intend to replace by the Bill.

The Cabinet, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs, expect to pass this Bill shortly, according to official sources.

When the idea was first proposed, it drew a lot of criticism because people thought the proposed Bill would attempt to restrict free speech and expression on social media. However, numerous parties over the Bill have already undertaken detailed talks.

Although there is currently no procedure to register digital news portals like newspapers, this Bill intends to do so with the Press Registrar General, which would be the equivalent of India’s current Registrar of Newspapers.

It intend to require digital news providers to apply for registration within 90 days of the legislation taking effect.

There will rules governing digital media for the first time in India. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will control digital media if the Bill is approved.