Government Rules to Start a News Portal in India – Legal Guide (2025)

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Government Rules for Starting a News Portal in India (2025)

Running a digital news portal in India isn’t just about writing articles and uploading them. You also need to follow legal, technical, and ethical rules. These are enforced by various bodies like the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) and IT Act 2000.

✅ 1. Register Your News Portal as a Business

  • You can start under:
    • Proprietorship
    • Partnership
    • LLP or Private Limited Company
  • Register with MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs) if forming a company
  • Get a GST registration (especially if running ads or earning revenue)

✅ 2. No Government License Required (Yet), But…

As of now (2025), there’s no mandatory license to run a digital news portal in India.
However:

  • If you’re reporting news, you’re expected to follow media ethics.
  • MIB has proposed guidelines for digital media platforms, and new laws may be enforced in the future.

✅ 3. Follow IT Rules 2021 (Amended 2023)

Under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021:

  • You must publish your contact details, grievance officer name, and redressal mechanism.
  • You need to ensure no fake news, hate speech, or misleading content.
  • News and current affairs portals are required to follow the Code of Ethics by Press Council of India.

✅ 4. Fact-Check Requirement (PIB or Govt Recognized Fact Check Unit)

The Government may require digital publishers to not publish content that is fake or violates national interest.

  • Google and Facebook also follow this policy.
  • Ensure proper sourcing and avoid sensationalism.

✅ 5. Comply with Copyright Laws

  • Don’t use images, videos, or articles copied from other sites.
  • Always credit original sources or use royalty-free media.

✅ 6. Optional – Register with Press Council of India

While not mandatory, it builds trust and helps with:

  • Journalist accreditation
  • Legal protection
  • Access to press conferences/events

✅ 7. Display Legal Pages on Your Website

These pages are must-haves:

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • Grievance Redressal (as per IT Rules)

🧾 Summary:

You don’t need a license to start a news portal in India, but you must follow the IT Rules 2021, media ethics, and stay legally compliant if you plan to monetize and grow. If new laws come (which is likely), registration with MIB may become mandatory.

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