Press Council of India

Something about Press council of India.

The Press Council of India (PCI) is a statutory quasi-judicial autonomous authority re-established in the year 1979 under an Act of Parliament, Press Council Act, 1978.

It was first set up on 4 July 1966 and started functioning on 16 November 1966 under the Indian Press Council Act, 1965, on the recommendation of the first Press Commission with the identical twin objects.

And the first chairman was appointed of PCI was Justice Mr. J. R. Mudholkar , then a judge of the Supreme Court. The 1965 Act was, however replaced in 1975 and the Press Council was abolished during the emergency. Thereafter, a new Act was enacted on the similar lines as the Act of 1965 and the Press Council was re-established under it in the year 1979.

~Backdrop
The First Press Commission was formed on 23 September 1952 under the chairmanship of Justice J.S. Rajadhyaksha and submitted its report in 1954. And the first Press Commission recommended there should be a Press Council and this recommendation became the basis of the formation and the Press Council Act, 1965 was enacted.

~Why Press Council of India?

(1) To maintain the high standards of journalism and for the freedom of press.

(2) It acts as the regular that defines and discharges professional standards for the print media in India.
(3) To address the problem related to the Press Council was much needed.
(4) It is considered as the most important body that sustains democracy and to ensure that freedom of speech is protected.

~Press Council of India ( PCI)- Compositions-:

PCI has a chairman, and the chairman is nominated by the Chief Justice of India(CJI), apart from the chairman there will be 28 members:-

28 members:-

2. 2 Rajya Sabha Members
3. 3 Lok Sabha Members
4. 7 working Journalists(other than editors or newspapers)
5. 6 Editors of newspapers
6. 3 people with specialized knowledge on public life
7. 1 person who manages news agencies
8. 6 persons in the business of managing newspapers.
9. Chairman of PCI- Selection
10. The chairman of PCI is selected by 3 people, holding the following positions.

~Press Council of India- Appointment of Members:-

1. Chairman of Rajya Sabha
2. Speaker of Lok sabha
3. A member selected by the PCI

~∆ The tenure of PCI remains for 3 years, but the chairman and other members can be re-elected for another term i.e. 3 years again he remains on his post as possible.

Press Council of India- Functions:-

1. Keep a track on development that might obstruct the flow of information or news freely.
2. Maintain high standards of news for public consumption.
3. Making sure that newspapers are able to maintain their independence.
4. Build a code of conduct for the mass agencies to maintain high professional standards.
5. Build a code of conduct for the journalists for high professional standards.
6. It works to promote technical and other research areas related to news.
7. Provide training to new journalists.

~Press Council of India- Power:-

1. PCI is responsible for inquiring about the complainants it receives.
2. PCI can issue warnings, criticize the guilty, it could be a journalist, newspaper, newspaper agency or editor.
3. An editor or journalist can complain to the PCI about the professional misconduct or violation of journalistic ethics by an editor or journalist.
4. It can summon witnesses, demand copies of public records.
5. Decisions taken by the PCI are final and it cannot be appealed before a court of law.

~Press Council of India- Limitations of its Powers.

There are two main factors that restrict the powers:-

1. It only has the power to enforce standards on the print media and has no powers to enforce standards on the electronic media.
3. Radio, television, and the internet come under electronic media. Journals, magazines, newspapers etc come under the category of print media.
5. While enforcing the issued guidelines, it has very limited powers. It cannot penalize anyone for violation of the guidelines.

Ranjana Prakash Desai.

The current Chairperson of the Press Council of India is Hon’ble Smt. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.

Source:- Press Council of India Official Page, BYJU’S, Written by Rajat Ranjan