Government changes FCRA rules, new orders for news content creators and NGOs
#News Bureau May28,2025
The Home Ministry has amended the FCRA regulations, imposing a ban on organizations and NGOs receiving foreign funding from publishing any content. The newly introduced rules are expected to have a significant impact on freedom of expression.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has introduced new amendments to the rules under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). According to the updated regulations, NGOs receiving foreign funding and engaged in content-related activities will no longer be permitted to publish newsletters. Additionally, such organizations must now obtain a certificate from the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) affirming that they do not disseminate any form of content.
Key Provisions of the New Rules:
In a notification issued late Monday, the Home Ministry stated that NGOs applying for foreign funding must now declare their adherence to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Good Practice Guidelines. Furthermore, organizations seeking FCRA registration must submit financial documents for the past three years, including:
- Statements of assets and liabilities
- Receipts and payments accounts
- Income and expenditure statements
If these reports lack specific details of activity-wise expenditure for the last three financial years, NGOs will be required to provide a certificate from a chartered accountant. This certificate must outline the funds allocated to each activity and reconcile them with the submitted financial statements.
The new regulations are being seen as a significant tightening of oversight on foreign-funded NGOs and may have broader implications for freedom of expression and operational transparency in the nonprofit sector.
Crackdown on Publishing Activities
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has clarified that if an NGO is engaged in publishing or has listed publishing as one of its objectives in its Memorandum of Association or Trust Deed, its chief executive must now submit a written assurance of compliance with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010.
These amendments, introduced under the guise of promoting transparency and accountability in foreign funding, significantly increase oversight of NGO activities. The government has specifically targeted content dissemination, aiming to restrict the creation and publication of information under the pretext of financial regulation.
Mounting Concerns Over Press Freedom in India
Despite branding itself as the world’s largest democracy, India has seen a steady decline in press freedom. Recent FCRA amendments, growing attacks on journalists, and allegations against prominent news agencies like ANI have raised serious concerns. These developments reflect not only a crackdown on independent journalism but also pose broader threats to fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and religion.
India’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index continues to slide — standing at 161st in 2023. Journalists critical of government policies are increasingly targeted, and independent media outlets are facing heightened scrutiny. Raids on organizations like NewsClick, along with arrests of their staff, underscore this deteriorating climate.
Suppressing Independent Journalism Through FCRA
The Home Ministry’s tightening of FCRA regulations now explicitly prohibits foreign-funded NGOs from publishing news content. This change appears to target independent outlets like The Wire, Alt News, and NewsClick, which rely on donations rather than government advertising.
By cutting off access to foreign funds, the government effectively chokes the financial lifeline of independent journalism. Since mainstream media in India largely benefits from state and corporate support—and often takes a more favorable stance toward the government—FCRA restrictions further shift the media landscape in the government’s favor.
Rising Attacks on Journalists and Content Creators
In recent years, multiple journalists and content creators have faced state action. The arrest of NewsClick editor Prabir Purkayastha, harassment of YouTubers, and detention of local journalists under the IT Act are examples of growing repression.
Social media critics, too, face pressure. Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a professor at Ashoka University, and an engineering student from Pune were recently detained for their posts critical of the government—indicating that even ordinary citizens, now informal content creators, are not immune.
Comedians such as Kunal Kamra and satirists like Neha Singh Rathore have also faced legal threats and attacks, reflecting a broader crackdown on dissent in all forms.
Allegations Against ANI
India’s largest news agency, Asian News International (ANI), faces serious allegations of monopolizing visual content from government events. Independent journalists and YouTubers allege that ANI aggressively enforces copyright claims—demanding ₹40–50 lakh for using even brief clips—despite sourcing the material from publicly available government feeds.
ANI has been accused of operating as a pro-government mouthpiece, often referred to as “Godi Media,” and of sidelining opposition voices and minority issues.
The recent amendments to the FCRA are part of a broader pattern: an increasing attempt to stifle dissent, muzzle independent journalism, and control the narrative in India. Whether through financial restrictions, legal harassment, or media monopolization, the space for free expression continues to shrink—raising serious questions about the health of democracy in the country.
