Govt for amendments in PRB Act

PRB Act,1867,needs to be updated to address issues governed by the print media policy,says govt.

The government on Tuesday said several amendments are required in Press and Registration of Books Act to make its provisions better suited to print media sector.

“The PRB Act,1867,needs to be updated and revised to address certain issues governed by the print media policy and the guidelines/rules,” Minister of State in the Information & Broadcasting ministry C M Jatua told Lok Sabha in response to a question.

“The Act has undergone minor amendments several times between 1870 and 1983 but with the changing times,there is a need to contemporise the Act as its existing provisions are inadequate to cater to the phenomenal growth of the print media sector in view of the liberalisation of government policies,” he said.

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Jatua said the government has proposed some changes in the Press and Registration of Books and Publications Bill,2011. One of the proposed changes is that those convicted of terrorist acts or anything done against the security of the state would be prevented from bringing out a publication,he said.

Detailed provisions for verification of title have also been proposed,while one of the proposals aim at preventing blocking of titles by non serious publishers,the minister said.

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