Press and Registration

of Books Act,
1867
 Aims & Objectives of PRB Act
• To regulate of printing-press
and newspapers.
• To preserve of copies of books
and newspapers printed in India.
• For the registration of books
and newspapers.
• To provide guidelines for the
publication of newspapers
• To prevent publication of anonymous
literature.
History

• Advent of printing Press

• East India company make a collection of
the books and other publications in
India
• A Bill was introduced in the Legislature for
the regulation of printing presses for the
registration of books and periodicals
containing news.
PRB contains….
• rules for the registration of books.
• rules for the making of declaration by the keepers of presses and publishers
of newspapers
• rules regulations for the delivery of books
• rules registration of books and newspapers
• penalties
• powers to the government to make rules and to exempt books
or newspapers from the provisions of this Act.
Overview

• Act on 22, March 1867

• 23 sections in 6 parts
• Extents all over India
Amendments

• The Registrar of Newspapers of India

(RNI)
• 1950 to 2011
• 20 years b/w 1963 to 1983
Key points….
Section 3

• name of the printer

• the place of printing
• the name of the publisher
• the place of publication.
Penalties

• Part 4
• Section 12 to 17
• 2 years + 6 months
• There are 9 types of instances to get
punished
Part 5 and 5A
• Registration Of Books
• Registration Of Newspapers
Section 19

• 19A. Press Register and other officers

• 19B. RNI 1956
• 19D. Annual Statement by newspapers
• 19G. Annual Report
 Provisions to Start a Publication…

• Name and Address of the editor, printer

and publisher
• Address of the premises where printing is
done
• Language and periodicity of the
publication
• Suggested titles (three or
more)
• Section 21

Power to exclude any class of

books from operation of act
Defects

• British act
• No attempt was made to review the Act
• Light penalties
• Changes in 150 years