As part of its process of registering online news portals, the Information Ministry has released a list of 34 verified media outlets.

In a notification on Thursday, the ministry said that media outlets, which have secured clearance from 'government-nominated agencies,' have been allowed for 'initial registration.'

"The registration of online news portals is an ongoing process," it said before adding that other online newspapers will be allowed for registration as soon as they get clearance.

The listed online news portals have been asked to complete the registration process within 20 working days.

Earlier in the day, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said that the government is set to release a list of online media outlets following a "rigorous verification process."

Speaking at a discussion with journalists at the Secretariat, he, however, described it as an 'initial list' before adding that the list would contain only few of the 3,000 news portals, which applied for registration.

Other online news portals will be added to the list soon after verification reports from the agencies are available, said the minister.