INS concerned over some provisions of proposed Bill

The Indian Newspaper Society today voiced concern over certain provisions of the proposed Press and Registration of Books and Publications Bill 2013, saying the government was seeking to regulate "content" of newspapers with a special clause "in the guise of paid news".
The proposal to bring in regulation with stringent punishment leading to stoppage of DAVP advertisements and even cancellation of registration of newspapers to rein in so-called "paid news" was "draconian and not justifiable by any stretch of imagination", INS outgoing President PV Chandran said at the 77th Annual General Meeting here.
"I strongly feel such regulation will have far reaching consequences to the smooth functioning of the Fourth Estate of our vibrant democracy," he said.

Chandran also termed as "arbitrary, unjustified and discriminatory" the new Print Media Advertising policy announced by the government, saying it was against the interests of small and medium newspapers, as also language newspapers.
He said the government had not consulted the stakeholders at all on some provisions.
Noting that several Public Sector Undertakings and autonomous bodies which were commercial and profit making establishments were releasing advertisements at DAVP rates, he said INS saw no justification in PSUs and autonomous bodies getting the benefit of DAVP rates.

"We are therefore strongly opposed to application of DAVP rates for advertisements by PSUs and autonomous bodies," he said, adding all PSUs and similar bodies should release advertisements at the prevailing card rates only.

Chandran also appealed to the government not to consider constituting any further wage board for journalists and non-journalists employees in newspaper establishments.
On the new GST dispensation, he said newspapers should continue to be exempted from the levy of any Sales Tax, Excise Duty and or similar indirect levies so that there is no tax burden on the common man.
Any tax on newspapers was a tax on knowledge and militates against the spread of literacy and dissemination of news, he added.