Publications must now upload e-version on Press Sewa Portal within 48 hours, says new draft rules

New Delhi: A publisher may have to upload an e-version of a newspaper on the official ‘Press Sewa Portal’ within 48 hours of its publication and submit physical copies of a month’s newspapers to state offices of Press Information Bureau (PIB), according to the draft Press and Registration of Periodicals, 2024 Rules.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Friday released the draft rules for the recently enacted Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 for public consultation till February 4. The new Act has repealed the colonial Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867.

The new draft rules provide for various mechanisms for registration of publications and renewal of their licences among other things.

According to the draft, a publisher will have to upload the electronic version of the newspaper within 48 hours of its publication on the Press Sewa Portal.

They will also have to deliver physical copies of the newspaper to the PIB office in states by the fifth day of every month for all the days for which the newspaper is published during the previous months.

Similarly, the publisher may also have to deliver physical copies to an office as authorised by the state government. The draft said the compliance on delivery electronically and physically will be considered for ascertaining whether the newspaper is being published continuously.

A newspaper stands a chance of losing its registration if it is not published for a prescribed period.

On ascertaining circulation, the draft suggested that there will be a “faceless” desk audit for periodicals by calling for information and documents through digital mode. This is available only for those who submit their annual statement for the immediately preceding financial year or the year immediately before that, whichever is the latest.

For those who are irregular in filing their annual statements, a physical inspection will be carried out.