Rajya Sabha has passed the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023. The Bill seeks to simplify the online process of title verification and registration of periodicals by the Press Registrar General of Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI). The Bill has provisions related to the circulation and verification of newspapers. It also has a provision for prior approval of the Central Government for the publication of facsimile editions of foreign periodicals in India. According to the Bill, a publisher of a periodical may make an application to the Press Registrar General for revision of particulars of the certificate of registration, or for revision of title. The Bill has a provision for the Appellate Board to be called the Press and Registration Appellate Board consisting of the Chairperson, Press Council of India and two members to be nominated by the Press Council of India, from among its members. It repeals the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867.
 
Replying to debate on the Bill in the House, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said, the Bill is aimed to simplify the registration process of newspapers, magazines, and periodicals and promote ease of doing business. He said, the registration process will be completed in the stipulated 60 days period. He said, earlier, the registration process involves eight steps, now it will be done just in a single step. He said, according to the provisions of the Bill, publishers of newspapers and periodicals have to give online applications to the District Magistrate and Press Registrar of RNI. Mr Thakur also informed the House that a portal for filing online applications will be launched this month itself.
 
The Minister said, those involved in terrorist activities will not be allowed to run newspapers, magazines, and periodicals. He informed that earlier, there was a provision of fine and imprisonment of six months for minor offences but now most of the provisions have been decriminalized. He said, only a fine will be imposed for violating the rules. Mr Thakur termed this Bill as simple, smarter, and a step towards promoting ease of doing business. The Union Minister emphasized that the Narendra Modi government not only speaks about freedom of the press but also proves it by bringing this Bill. He added that the Bill is in sync with the changing media landscape.
 
Earlier initiating the discussion on the Bill, Sulata Deo of BJD supported the legislation saying that it will protect the interest of the fourth pillar of the country. Speaking on the Bill, Pabitra Margherita of the BJP said that this Bill seeks to replace the 156-year-old legislation. Besides, Seema Dwivedi and G V L Narasimha Rao of BJP, members from other political parties including V Vijayasai Reddy of YSRCP, G K Vasan of TMC(M), and Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar of TDP also participated in the discussion.