Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday launched four transformatory portals that promise to revolutionize the media landscape in India.

This initiative is aimed at ensuring ease of doing business by fostering a more conducive business environment for newspaper publishers and TV channels, enhance transparency and efficiency in government communication, and provide easy access to authentic Government videos.

A comprehensive database of Local Cable Operators (LCOs) will be created, enabling the Government to streamline regulatory processes in the cable television sector in future, Mr Thakur said.

Addressing an audience, the Minister said today, India is viewed as an attractive destination for investment, with global companies eager to establish businesses here. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on transformative governance and economic reforms has greatly improved the ease of doing business in India.

This has led to increased investment from both existing businesses and new entrepreneurs. The ecosystem of start-ups, in particular, has flourished, with a significant increase in the number of start-ups and unicorns, he stated.

Elaborating on recognition of the Government’s achievements in ease of doing business, Mr Thakur said that these have been recognized globally, as evidenced by improved rankings in international indices like the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index and the Logistic Performance Index.

He said the success of platforms like the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) reflects the government’s efforts to create a level playing field for MSMEs and small businesses. The Prime Minister’s leadership has not only focused on economic reforms but also on fostering a mindset transformation, recognizing entrepreneurs as partners in national development.

This approach has led to increased wealth creation, job opportunities, and higher incomes, benefiting the country’s overall welfare and development, the Minister said.

 I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju said that today’s initiatives will help the Government streamline and increase its engagement with the media. These will foster not just transparency and innovation, but help improve the functioning of the departments.

The Press Sewa Portal will streamline newspaper registration. Developed under the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 (PRP Act, 2023) by the Press Registrar General of India (PRGI – erstwhile RNI), it is a monumental step towards complete automation of the process for newspaper registration and other related processes.

This portal, designed under the PRP Act 2023, aims to simplify the cumbersome registration procedures that were prevalent under the colonial PRB Act, 1867.

The Press Sewa Portal will allow publishers to file applications for title registration online, using Aadhar-based e-signatures. A Probability Meter will indicate the likelihood of title availability. There will be real-time tracking of applications status, accessible through an intuitively designed dashboard.

A dedicated DM Module will enable District Magistrates to manage applications received from publishers in a centralized dashboard. The new website will offer easy access to relevant information, featuring an AI-based chatbot for user-friendly interactions.

There will be benefits of automation. There will be online services for Title Registration, paperless processes with e-sign facilities, integration of a Direct Payment Gateway, QR code-based digital certificates, module for Press Keepers/owner enabling online intimation about Printing press, efficient tracking of newspaper registration, and quick grievance resolution through a chatbot-based interactive Grievance Resolution Software.

There will be transparent empanelment of Media Planning and eBilling System. This will revolutionize Media Planning. The Ministry is introducing this for the Central Bureau of Communication.

The CBC provides comprehensive 360 degree media and communication solutions to Ministries, Departments, PSUs, and autonomous bodies.  The new system of CBC is designed to enhance transparency and efficiency in media planning processes, and provide an end-to-end ERP solution for the media industry for doing business in a paperless and faceless environment.

The new CBC system will have a streamlined empanelment process. An online system for empanelment of newspaper, periodicals, TV, Radio and digital media to ensure transparency and efficiency.

NaViGate Bharat Portal will be a National Video Gateway of Bharat. It will offer dedicated pages for Ministries, Sectors, Schemes, and Campaigns. With detailed descriptions for all videos, these pages provide a holistic view of Government initiatives.

There will be a National Register for Local Cable Operators (LCOs) to streamline the sector and bring registration of the LCOs currently with Post Offices spread across the country, under a Centralised Registration System.