Procedure to Register a Newspaper and Magazine under RNI

Introduction

In India, the publication of newspapers, periodicals, and books are regulated by the Press and Books Registration Act 1867. The act provides for the making of the Office of the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI), a statutory body that was created by amending the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act 1867.

The RNI has the responsibility of: Compilation and maintenance of a Register of Newspapers, issue of Certificate of Registration to the newspapers, verifying circulation claims, and other non-statutory functions as per the act.

 In order to start any printed publication in India one has to have an RNI registration from the Registrar of the Newspapers. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting controls and; frame rules for the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI); under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 (PRB).

Process of Registration

The process of registration under RNI is divided into the following aspects. Verification of title, Authentication Of Declaration, Publication of the first issue, Final Registration, Certificate of Registration

Verification of Title

The primary step to commence a newspaper business is to get the title, which is the name of the proposed newspaper verified by the Registrar of Newspaper. The publisher has to make an application for title verification indicating-

• The name of the paper.
• The name of the owner.
• Language in which it would be circulated.
• Periodicity and area of publication of the newspaper proposed.

This application is submit to the District Magistrate. Dm after checking the credentials of the publisher forwards the application to RNI. It is for verification who responds back to both the DM and the publisher about the availability of the title.

In the case of a magazine the role of the DM in the process of verification of title is replace with the Regional Magistrate Court.

An online application can also be file for the verification of the title.

Authentication Of Declaration

The declarations made have to be verified by the publisher to the DM/DC/SDM/ DCP/JCP/CMM et cetera, as specified.

In case if the publisher and printer are different people, different declarations from both publishers as well as printers are need. If the place of publication and printing press are in different districts, separate declarations are from both the districts.

Publication of the first issue

The PRB lists the time period of the first issue in terms of the publishing frequency. The first issue needs to be brought within 42 days of authentication of affirmation, in situation periodicity is everyday or regular. If the periodicity is fortnightly or above, the first issue needs to be brought within 90 days of verification of affirmation.

In the case of a hold-up in the magazine of the initial issue, a modify statement must be filed before the RNI.

Final Registration

List of Documents Needed for final registration of newspapers or magazines

1. A duplicate of the title verification letter provided by RNI.

2. Declaration (Form-1) submitted by the publisher and duly authenticated by DM/DC/SDM/ JCP/CMM.

3. A written contract between proprietor of periodical. In a situation where the owner of the print material and the owner of the printing machine are not the same. The agreement submit have to bear both the signatures of the publisher and the printer.

4. A copy of the first issue i.e. volume 1, issue 1.

5.A signed copy of the Printer agreement authorization in written from the owner( s), authorizing specific (by name) to make and subscribe declaration as publisher/printer, in the case where the publisher or printer making a declaration is not the owner thereof.

Certificate of Registration

Once the Certificate of Registration is issue by Press Registrar, the Magistrate issues a copy of the declaration. Also the first issue of the periodical is published. In the case of magazines, the RNI will issue an RNI Certificate and RNI Number and the Diary Number which will have to be mentioned on each copy of the magazine.

Conclusion

Whenever there is a change of publisher, printer, owners, periodicity, and printing press, the publisher/printer has to make a fresh declaration to the RNI. As of 31 March 2016, there are 1,10,851 publications registered with RNI in India. All publications of India as well as publications imported in India for sales require the mandatory registration with RNI. They are also required to submit their annual report on circulation numbers at the end of every May.

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References:

1. The Press and Registration Books Act of India, 1867-http://www.lawsindia.com/Advocate%20Library/C218.htm
2. https://cleartax.in/s/rni-registration
3. https://blog.ipleaders.in/newspaper-registration-rni/
4. Office of the Registrar of the newspapers for India website- http://rni.nic.in/