New Delhi: The Information and Broadcasting
Ministry on Friday said it has consulted all stakeholders,
including Indian Newspaper Society (INS) and incorporated
their suggestions before the Union Cabinet cleared a bill on
registration of books and publications.
In a statement, the Ministry said the "graded" penalty
proposed in the draft has been removed besides liberalising
the provision of six months imprisonment for violations in the
existing Act by substituting it with suspension of publication
for a period of 30 days.
The INS on Thursday had expressed concern on the Cabinet`s
approval to the amendments to the Press and Registration of
Books Act saying the government had not held any consultations
with stakeholders before finalising it.
INS President Kundan R Vyas had said that the purpose of
amending a legislation ought to be to remove anomalies and
plug loopholes prejudicial to public order but the amendments
cleared by the Cabinet contain a section providing "penalty",
which is draconian and also violative of the constitution.
The comprehensive bill will replace the law relating to
print media that will cover internet edition of newspapers and
include provisions on limits on foreign news content and
investment. The Cabinet decided to amend the 1867 Press and
Registration of Books Act to streamline the age-old processes
pertaining to the print media policy.
Regarding the issue of restriction on registration of
names similar to foreign titles, the Ministry said the INS had
suggested that the words "known" used in the amendment needs
to be explained as it is vague.
"This point was considered and in order to remove any
vagueness, the proposed amendments provides for prescribing
Rules to notify as to what are `known foreign publications`,"
the statement said.
The Ministry said the proposal to amend the 1867 Act was
mooted in 2005 and representation and comments were received,
among others, from INS on the proposal.
"A meeting was also held with the representatives of INS
in September 2005 to discuss the draft amendments. Discussions
were also held with various newspaper associations in April
2006 on the draft amendments to the Act.
"Subsequently in 2010, the Ministry decided to once again
invite suggestions/comments from key stakeholders on the
proposed amendments to the Act in view of the issues raised by
the concerned stakeholders", the statement said.
The Ministry noted that the draft amendments was put on
the websites of Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) and
the Ministry in February 2010 and stakeholders were asked to
submit their comments latest by March 3, 2010 to the office of
the RNI.
PTI
