India Ink-Stained Wretches Protest Cabinet-Approved Press Penalties

Image via WikipediaThe Times of India  Web site reports that the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) has condemned the Cabinet's passage of amendments to the Press and Registration of Books Act (1867) that impose draconian penalties on the press.

The Times article claims the amendments punish technical violations by suspending a publication for 30 days for a first offense, 60 days for a second offense, with a third violation resulting in cancelling registration and possibly, imprisonment of offending press members.

The INS head fears the amendments, which were enacted without consulting media industry representatives, will unduly expand the powers of the Press Registrar of India.