Editors Guild voices concern on Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill

The Editors Guild of India has expressed concerns about certain "draconian powers" in the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, which seeks to replace a 19th-century legislation. The Guild is calling for the bill to be referred to a parliamentary select committee. Those areas flagged by the Guild include the expansion of powers of the Press Registrar; restrictions on editorial freedom and the potential for misuse of the bill to deny "the right to bring out news publications to persons who are critical of governments".