15 Apr 2012

FDI In Print Media Sector Of India Under Consolidated FDI Policy Of India 2012

This is in continuance of our series on consolidated FDI policy of India 2012 by DIPP. The previous articles in this regard are

(1) Consolidated FDI policy of India 2012 by DIPP: objectives,

(2) Consolidated FDI policy of India 2012 by DIPP: definitions,

(3) Consolidated FDI policy of India 2012 by DIPP: general provisions,

(4) FDI in limited liability partnerships (LLPs) in India 2012,

(5) Permissible direct and indirect foreign investment in an Indian company,

(6) Foreign investment promotion board (FIPB) and FDI policy of India 2012,

(7) Prohibited sectors under the consolidated FDI policy of India 2012,

(8) FDI in agriculture and animal husbandry under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012,

(9) FDI in mining sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012,

(10) FDI in petroleum and natural gas sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012

(11) FDI in micro and small enterprises (MSEs) sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012

(12) FDI in defence sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012

(13) FDI in broadcasting sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012

In this article Perry4Law and Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) would discuss the provisions pertaining to FDI in print media sector of India under consolidated FDI policy of India 2012.

FDI in publishing of newspaper and periodicals dealing with news and current affairs is allowed upto 26% (FDI and investment by NRIs/PIOs/FII) through government approval route.

FDI in publication of Indian editions of foreign magazines dealing with news and current affairs is allowed upto 26% (FDI and investment by NRIs/PIOs/FII) through government approval route.

The following is also worth considering in this regard:

(i) Magazine, for the purpose of these guidelines, will be defined as a periodical publication, brought out on non-daily basis, containing public news or comments on public news.

(ii) Foreign investment would also be subject to the Guidelines for Publication of Indian editions of foreign magazines dealing with news and current affairs issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on 4.12.2008.

FDI in publishing/printing of Scientific and Technical Magazines/specialty journals/ periodicals, subject to compliance with the legal framework as applicable and guidelines issued in this regard from time to time by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is allowed upto 100% through government approval route.

FDI in publication of facsimile edition of foreign newspapers is allowed upto 100% through government approval route.

The following conditions must also be satisfied in this regard:

(i) FDI should be made by the owner of the original foreign newspapers whose facsimile edition is proposed to be brought out in India.

(ii) Publication of facsimile edition of foreign newspapers can be undertaken only by an entity incorporated or registered in India under the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956.

(iii) Publication of facsimile edition of foreign newspaper would also be subject to the Guidelines for publication of newspapers and periodicals dealing with news and current affairs and publication of facsimile edition of foreign newspapers issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on 31.3.2006, as amended from time to time.