Nishakant sharma
New Delhi:
An advisory issued by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in March has created a new crisis for small and medium newspapers and magazines. Under this advisory, newspapers and magazines are now required to photograph their publications within 48 hours and upload them to the portal of the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI). It would be just to immediately withdraw the advisory issued by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on March 10, 2025.
There is widespread resentment among media and journalist organizations regarding this rule, and their demands are being ignored.
A.K. Bindusar, the founder of the Bharatiya Media Foundation and the International Media Army, has strongly opposed this new law and demanded its annulment.
He described it as a slap in the face of the fourth pillar of democracy, the media’s freedom of expression, and an insult to democracy.
A.K. Bindusar said that this order is not fair to small and medium newspapers and magazines. For these publications with limited resources and staff, photographing the publication immediately after printing and uploading it to the portal is a major challenge. He questioned whether the ministry had considered the practical difficulties of these newspapers.
However, A.K. Bindusar also acknowledged that some newspapers and magazines have negligently appointed individuals not affiliated with media organizations and without proper training as editors, assistant editors, and journalists. He emphasized the need to verify the qualifications of such individuals.
He stated that this verification is necessary for those who are misusing the name of media for non-journalistic purposes and tarnishing its dignity. The Bharatiya Media Foundation, being a national organization of journalists and social activists, never supports such elements that misuse the media.
Bindusar urged the ministry to immediately withdraw this impractical advisory, keeping in mind the problems of small and medium newspapers.
He emphasized that the government should create rules that are equally applicable to all types of media institutions and do not unnecessarily harass any particular category of publications.
The opposition to this new rule is constantly increasing among many newspaper organizations and media bodies, and more voices are likely to rise against it in the coming days. It remains to be seen what stance the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting takes on this issue and whether small and medium newspapers get relief.
About The Author
