The Hindu Business Line : Printing foreign publications may need prior Govt nod

After the recent controversy surrounding the printing and publication of the International Herald Tribune (IHT) in India, the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry is considering amending the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867, making it mandatory for publishers to seek such an approval before commencing publication here.

The I&B Ministry has already mooted a draft Cabinet note, which proposes that clearances would be required by those planning to merely print newspapers that are foreign-owned or where the title is similar to an international title or where the foreign news content exceeds the syndication norms of 7.5 per cent of the total content printed.

Further, it has also suggested a penalty for publishers who violate the norms and also give the district magistrate, additional district magistrate or the Commissioner of Police of the relevant district, the power to close the printing press.

The publication of IHT in India by Hyderabad-based Midram Publications ran into trouble after the I&B Ministry said that it would not permit printing of foreign newspapers. The Ministry felt that IHT had violated not only the norms prescribed for syndication arrangement by newspapers but also went against the 1955 Cabinet Resolution preventing foreign newspapers and periodicals to bring out Indian editions.

The Ministry later also held legal consultations wherein it was found that the syndication guidelines do not have a statutory basis and hence are not enforceable. "Action cannot be taken against violation of these guidelines. Hence the suggestion to amend the PRB Act," said Ministry sources. A view from the Attorney General of India is also being awaited.

Meanwhile, the I&B Ministry has already written to Midram Publications and the Managing Director of IHT at Hong Kong urging them to stop publication of the newspaper in India. Midram has responded to the Government by stating that the company is Indian, owned by Indians with the printer, publisher and editor all being Indians and therefore not violating norms. It further added that several well-known foreign newspapers and magazines are already freely available in the country whose editors or publishers are not answerable to the Indian authorities or Courts.

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