On November 25, 2019, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ("MIB") released a draft Registration of Press and Periodicals Bill ("RPP Bill") for public consultation. Once finalised, this Bill is meant to replace the existing law in place for registration of newspapers in the country, the Press and Registration of Books Act 1867 ("PRB Act"). One of the key concerns of the draft Bill which has drawn flak from the digital sector is the registration requirements of periodicals and the lack of clarity on whether this would include anything which is printed on paper and is distributed online or other online news sharing platforms including blogs.
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