I&B ministry issues guidelines for Indian edition of foreign magazines

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | New Delhi
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has last week unveiled a set of guidelines for allowing publication of Indian editions of foreign news and current affairs magazines, which are allowed 26 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) as long as all key executives and editorial staff are Indians.

The guidelines made it clear that these foreign magazines can only be published by an Indian company, which will be eligible for attracting 26 per cent of FDI and will be free to add local content and mobilise advertisements.

"The ceiling of total FDI (which includes FDI by non-resident Indians, persons of Indian origin, and portfolio investments by recognised foreign institutional investors together) is up to 26 per cent," the guidelines stated.

An Indian company wishing to publish such foreign magazines has to fulfill a range of criteria. Three-fourth of the directors of the applicant company and all key executives and editorial staff should be resident Indians, according to the guidelines.

Besides, the proposed publication must have a circulation of 10,000 paid copies and must have been published continuously for a period of at least five years.

The I&B Ministry will decide on all new applications for publication of Indian editions of foreign magazines on the basis of inter-ministerial consultation. The Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Corporate Affairs and other ministries and departments will be involved in the decision-making process.

The Government allowed Indian editions of foreign news and current affairs magazines over two months ago. The decision will provide Indian readers access to foreign magazines at cheaper rates in comparison to their imported copies.

That the publisher/owner of the foreign magazine of which Indian edition is proposed to be published should have sound credentials.