What is the procedure to start a news agency in India?

So, do you want to start a news agency in India? Do you think you have the drive required to do so? Do you have the zeal to get started?

If you’re reading this article with the mindset that you’ll get a single stop solution, I have got news for you.

You can’t just start a news agency with the click of a button.

If you have the drive, you also need to have the expertise. And if you have the zeal to start, you should also have the zeal to complete the procedure.

The procedure of starting a news agency in India is what you’ll learn through this article. Here, you’ll know about the:

1. News Agency Registration required to start your agency.
2. The eligibility criteria to apply for said registration.
3. The procedure that you need to follow, and

Let us begin. Read More: Insurance Marketing Firm

What is News Agency registration?

In 2003, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting introduced the guidelines to uplink news channels to the satellite. In those guidelines, the ministry mentioned need of a license, a News Agency Registration certificate that a company must have to legally start News Agencies in India.

News Agency registration is the permission that’s a collective permission to:

1. Uplink news channels to the satellites,
2. Set up uplinking hubs and teleports to uplink the news channel programs to the satellite, and
3. Start a news agency of Indian origin.

If those terms are sounding too technical to you, you must know that TV channels operate on certain frequencies. It’s within these frequencies that you need to obtain the permission to broadcast your television programs. Doing so requires installation of the appropriate equipments and doing so requires the permission of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

What is the eligibility criteria to start a news agency in India?

As we already stated, starting a news agency requires three different types of permissions. Thus, you need to adhere to three different sets of eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria to obtain the permission to uplink news channels

1. You must have a company incorporated under the Companies Act and its objective should be to provide news programs to the audience.
2. The company’s net worth should be INR 20 Crore.

Eligibility criteria to setup uplinking hubs and/or teleports

1. You must have a company incorporated under the Companies Act and its objective should be to provide news programs to the audience.
2. The company’s net worth should be INR 3 Crore.

Eligibility criteria to start an Indian news agency

1. You must have a company incorporated under the Companies Act and its objective should be to provide news programs to the audience.
2. Your company must have accreditation from Press Information Bureau.
3. 100% of your company should be owned by resident Indians.

What is the procedure to obtain the News Agency Registration?

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has created a standard procedure for the applicants to acquire the Certificate of Registration to start a news agency:

1. Furnish the required documents. Self-attest and certify them.
2. Apply for the permission to provide news channels at the office of the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
3. The application form would entail certain permissions that you have to obtain on the priority basis. In absence of those required permissions, Ministry would refrain from considering your application.
4. Apply for the permission to use hubs and teleports via Form 2.
5. Apply for the certificate of registration of news agency at the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing.
6. Pay the loyalty fee and the license fee.
7. Sign the agreement
8. Get the News Agency Registration.

As you can see,  the process includes a long list of permissions that you need to acquire prior to apply for news agency registration. Each of them have their respective documents, but the ending process remains the same. Read More: Corporate Agent License

1. File the application to obtain requisite permissions
2. The Ministry will assess the application
3. If the ministry finds your application to be satisfactory, will issue you the required permissions.

You can look at the complete list of documents required for News agencies Registration Here.

Conclusion

You don’t need one, but three permissions to obtain the right to successfully start a news agency in India. One gives you the permission to broadcast your television channel, one gives you the permission to use the required equipment, and finally, one establishes you as an Indian-origin news agency.  The procedures to obtain all of them are quite difficult. Thus, consult with Registrationwala for more information.

What is the procedure to start a news agency in India? In this blog you’ll know about the different legal permissions you need to start news agencies in India.