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The Press Council of India was first set up in the year 1966 on the recommendations of

the First Press Commission. In the discharge of its two-fold function of preserving the freedom of

the press and maintaining and improving the standards of the press, the Council performs a multi-

faceted role. It acts on the one hand as a quasi-judicial authority with all powers of the civil court

and on the other, in its advisory capacity; it guides the press as well as the authorities on any matter

that may have a bearing on the freedom of the press and on its preservation.

The Press Council is headed by a Chairman who has by convention been a retired judge

of the Supreme Court of India. Besides, the Council consists of 28 other members, of whom 20

represent the press, five are from the two Houses of Parliament and three represents the cultural,

literary and legal fields who are nominated by Government of India from the Sahitya Academy,

University Grants Commission and the Bar Council of India.

The 20 representing the press are nominated from amongst various associations of

journalists, editors, owners or managers of newspapers and news agencies.

The Council following the due procedure prescribed in the Press Council Act, 1978

sends nomination of 20 members representing press to the Government of India. The Central

Government initiates action for filling up the remaining eight notifies the 20 names nominated by

the Press Council of India and 8 names from the concerned organisations.

The Council is funded by the revenue collected by it as fee levied on the registered

newspapers in the country on the basis of their circulation; the deficit is made good by way of the

grant by the Central Government. Though to some extent, the Council is dependent on the

government for finances, yet in so far as functional autonomy is concerned, it has remained

completely uninfluenced by any extraneous considerations in the discharge of its quasi-judicial

functions.

As a quasi-judicial body, the Council is being approached by way of more and more

complaints every year. This is not to say that instances of violation of ethics or that of threats to the

press are on the increase. In fact, the Council feels that the press, as well as those holding the reins

of power are by and large responsible. The reason for the steady increase in the number of

complaints is lodged with it is because the Council's forum is being preferred over Courts where

the proceedings, by their very nature, are costly and time-consuming. The Council strives to

provide quick justice at the doorstep and to this end; it regularly meets in different parts of the

country to hear cases from that region.

The complaints received by the Council broadly fall into two categories: complaints by

the Press against interference with its freedom by an authority and complaints against the Press by

any individual or authority for violation of the ethical canons of journalism. Any press person

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feeling aggrieved over a matter likely to impair or interfere with the independence of the Press

may approach the Council. Similarly, anybody aggrieved by any publication or non-publication

in any newspaper or journal or over the conduct of a journalist or an editor may lodge a complaint

with the Council for breach of the recognized canons of journalistic ethics and public taste. The

Council is empowered to make observations in respect of the conduct of any authority including

government, if it soconsiders it necessary, for the performance of its functions under the Act. In

respect of complaints against the press, if it finds that a newspaper or a news agency has offended

against the standards of journalistic ethics or public taste or that an editor or a working journalist

has committed any professional misconduct, it can warn, admonish or censure the newspaper, the

news agency, the editor or the journalist or disapprove the conduct of editor or the journalist.

Thus, the Council exerts high moral authority. Its decisions are final and cannot be questioned in

any Court of Law. The decisions of the Council have generally been honoured and accepted by

the media and the authorities alike.

Statistics show that during the period 1966 to 1974, the Council was approached by

about 600 complainants. 295 complaints were disposed of at the preliminary stage, primarily for

reasons of lack of sufficient grounds for inquiry, while 250 complaints were adjudicated after

detailed inquiry. During the period April 1, 1979, to March 31, 2019, 30,913 complaints were

filed of which 22,621 raised the grievance of violation of accepted norms against the press while

8,292 questioned the alleged threats to press freedom by those in the authority. Out of these

30,913 cases, 22,522 w e r e disposed off under the authority of the Chairman of the Council

while 8,007 matters were adjudicated upon by the full Council through the medium of its Inquiry

Committees.

Since 2015 the Council has achieved a major milestone by clearing all the backlog of

cases a large number of cases were pending with the Council some of them dating back to several

years of the past. A streamlined calendar was created with an increased number of days and

timings of sittings exclusively for hearing only. Though this put a tremendous strain on the

Council and its Members and the Secretariat, it helped in speedy clearance of mounting

cases.

In the complaints being lodged against the press for alleged violation of norms of

journalistic conduct, about 60% carry the charge of defamation. About 25% relate to matters of

principle like right to reply, plagiarism, fratricidal tiffs, unauthorized lifting of news from other

papers, etc. In the remaining 15% cases, the complainants may be aggrieved over reports that hurt

the religious, communal, casteist sentiments.

In cases of complaints against authorities, about 65% converge on charges of attempts

to intimidate, harass or physically assault the pressmen, while the remaining allege withdrawal

by the State authorities of facilities like, accreditation to a journalist which are essential in the

discharge of professional duties or malafide denial of State advertisements often on account of

unpalatable writings. Based on its pronouncements and adjudications over the years, the

Council has brought out a compilation of the principles and guidelines built up over the years.

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Cast as they are in a flexible mould, the Council expects that these broad general

principles, when applied with due discernment and adaptation to the varying circumstances of

each case will help the journalist to regulate his or her conduct along the path of professional

rectitude.

During trying times especially when the unity of the country is at stake Press Council

appeals to the media and the people of the country to maintain and promote peace and harmony in

the country. In the year 2002, such appeal was issued by the Press Council in wake of Gujarat

violence vis-à-vis media coverage of the communal riots. It appealed to the media to refrain from

publishing/telecasting pictures of mangled corpses or any other photographic coverage which

may create terror, or revulsion or ignite communal passions among people.

Advisory Role and Reports

In its advisory role, the Council's opinion has been regularly sought by various

instrumentalities of the State on legislative measures either in force or proposed to be introduced.

The Council has also suo-motu initiated studies on various matters that have a bearing on the

freedom of the press or its standards. These, to cite a few, cover subjects like :

· Parliamentary Privileges (1967/1982, 2003);

· Monopoly and Concentration of Ownership of Newspapers (1967);

· Problems of Small and Medium Newspapers and Newsprint Crisis (1981/1992);

· Law of Defamation (1984);

· Portrayal of Women in Media (1996);

· Press Reporting on Defence Related Matters (1993);

· Reporting on AIDS Matters (1993)--Guidelines updated in the year 2008;

· Press Coverage of Election Process in the Country and Publication of Poll Related

Surveys (1996);

· Report on the Curbs on the Press in the State of Rajasthan (1997);

· Report on the Problems of Urdu Newspapers (1997);

· Report on the Undue Favours Extended to Journalists by Authorities (1998);

· Report on Closure of Newspapers (1998);

· Report on Right to Privacy ; Public Figures and the Press (1998);

th · Report on Press Coverage of the 12 General Elections (1998 and 1999);

· Report on Role of the Press during Assembly Elections 1998 and February, 2000;

· Report on Role of Print Media: Preparing People to Cope with Disasters (2000);

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· Report of the two member Fact-finding committee of the Press Council of India on

alleged atrocities on the Press and Journalists in Assam (2001);

· Future of Print Media (2001);

· Report of Fact-finding Committee constituted to inquire into the alleged barbaric

lathi-charge by the police on the journalists during Kumbh Mela at Allahabad on

January 19, 2001;

· Report of Fact-finding Committee, Chennai regarding assault on journalists of

Tamil Nadu (2001);

· Gujarat Report (2003);

· Contempt of Court (Amendment) Bill, 2005;

· Report of Sub-Committee on the Model Press Accreditation Policy (2007);

· Report of Sub- Committee on Problems of Small & Medium Newspapers (2007);

· Report of Sub-Committee on the issue of Working Journalist Act vis-a-vis

Appointment of Journalist on Contract (2007);

· Report of Assessment Committee on suo-motu inquiry initiated with reference to

the threats held out by the ULFA to the Assam Media and also the Manipur Media

(2007);

· In matters requiring urgent action, the Council appointed Committees to conduct

on the spot inquiries. To mention a few, the Council sent its team to Ayodhya

in the wake of the demolition of the disputed religious structure. It also sent teams

to Punjab and J&K when the press in these States was reeling under the threat of

militancy. The steps and the recommendations of the Council were welcomed by

all.

· Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Media formulated in 1993 and updated in 2008.

· Report of Assessment Committee regarding an attack on Editor-in-Chief of

Karavali Ale, Mangalore and subsequent unsatisfactory role of police authorities

(2009);

· Report on media coverage of Batla House Encounter (2009);

· Report of the Fact-finding Committee in the complaint of Shri Samiudden Neelu,

Lakhimpur Khiri based staff reporter of Amar Ujala against Smt. Padmaja, the then

Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur Khiri, Uttar Pradesh, (2010);

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· Report of the Assessment Committee to consider the issue of charges of police

brutality on journalists of print and electronic media in the Osmania University,

Hyderabad (2010),

· Report on Paid News, (2010). Report of the Sub-Committee on the issue of Private

Treaties by the Media Companies (2012),

· Report of the Fact-Finding Team of the Press Council of India on the murder of

Shri Chandrika Rai, journalist and three members of his family in Umaria, Madhya

Pradesh (2012)

· Report of Election Coverage Monitoring Committee on Paid News during Gujarat

Election- 2012 (2013),

· Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2011 (2013),

· Report of the Fact-finding Team to go into all aspects of the complaints of violation

of freedom of press in Bihar (2013),

· Paid News Report by Shri U. Lakshman, Member on Karnataka Election (2013),

· Report on recommendations of the Standing Committee on Information

Technology on the issue related to Paid News (2013),

· Report of one member Committee to enquire into the incident of rape of a lady

photo journalist in Mumbai (2013),

· Report of Sub-Committee regarding reference received on Telecom Regulatory

Authority of India (TRAI) consultation Papers on issues relating to Media

Ownership (2013);

· Report on Policy of Sectoral Caps of Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) in Print

Media (2013);

· Report of one member Committee to look into the arrest of Shri Bhupen Nath,

Correspondent, Niyamiya Barta, Tezpur, Assam (2013);

· Project on 'Review of the Press in India 2008-2012 by University of Pune through

Shri Rajeev Sabade, Member, PCI (2014).

· Report on Communal Violence in Faizabad, U.P. (2015).

· Recommendations made by the Sub-Committee on "Safety of Journalist" and

"Fact-finding Team" to inquire into the killing of a Journalist Shri Jagendra Singh

at Shahjahanpur, U.P.

· The Council in its meetings dated 17/3/2016 & 10/6/2016 adopted the reports of

sub- committee on the issue of advertisement from Sikkim, Uttarakhand &

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Telagana and the report submitted by Dr. Suman Gupta, Member with regard to

murder of Shri Tarun Kumar Mishra, Journalist, Jan Sandesh Times in Sultanpur,

U.P.

· The Council on 9/9/2016 accepted the recommendation made by the Fact Finding

Committee on murder of Siwan Bureau Chief of Hindi Daily Hindustan, Shri

Rajdeo Ranjan and Hindi Television Journalist, Shri Akhilesh Pratap Singh Yadav

in Chatra, Jharkhand and directed to forward the Report to the State Government

for appropriate action. The Council also adopted the Report of Monitoring

Committee on Paid News and Report of members nominated on State Level

Media Certification & Monitoring Committee.

· The Council in its meeting dated 21.9.2017 adopted the Reports of Sub-Committee

on the issue of Advertisement for the States of Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra,

Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya.

· Report of the Sub- Committee on the issue related to Jammu & Kashmir media

adopted on 9.10.2017.

· The Council in its meeting on 26.9.2018 adopted the Report of the Sub-Committee

to examine the Media Scenario in the State of Jammu & Kashmir after the murder

of Shri Shujaat Bhukari, Editor-in-Chief, Rising Kashmir. In the matter of

clarification regarding printing extracts of foreign newspapers in Indian

newspapers, the Council resolved that foreign media's content if published by the

Indian Publication, the editors will be fully responsible.

· Report of the Fact- finding Committee on Attack on Journalist in Aligarh

University on 9.7.2018 was adopted. The Council also recommended constituting

of Media Commission to study major aspects of current media and assess various

deployments in the information technology, electronic media including internet.

· The Council in its meeting held on 15.02.2019 adopted the Report of the Sub-

Committee on Shri Ravinder Kumar, Editor and Managing Director, The

Statesman Ltd., with regard to issuance of Notice u/s 41 A Cr.PC and Report of the

Sub- Committee on death of Shri Chandan Tiwary, Journalist, Aaj and Police attack

on Journalist on Jharkhand Day on 15.11.2018.

· The Council in its meeting dated 29.5.2019 accepted the Report of Shri P.K. Dash,

Member,PCI regardingmeetingof theMediaCertification andMonitoring

Committee (MCMC) at Puducherry. The Council also adopted the report of the

Fact Finding Committee in the Suo-Motu case related to attack on Journalist by the

Railway Police in Shamli, U.P.

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Opinion on Legislation

The legislation on which the Press Council rendered its opinion, whether suo-motu or

otherwise, also cover a wide range of matters relating to the press. Some of these were at the

proposal stage, while some other had already found their way to the statute book. A few of such

important legislation were Criminal and Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 1968; Indian

Telegraph Act 1886 (1969); Contempt of Court Bill (1968); Press and Registration of Books Act,

1867 (1971/1987); Andhra Pradesh (Communal Offenders) Bill, 1984 (1984); Karnataka

Freedom of Press Bill 1988 (1988); Promotion of Secularism Bill 1988; Right to Reply in the Press

Bills 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994; Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 1998; Abkari Amendment Bill,

1999; a legislation proposed by the Kerala Government; Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance 2001;

Prohibition of Publication or telecast of vulgar, obscene and surrogate advertisements and remix

songs by the Print and Electronic Media Bill,2004; Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and

Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005; Private Member's Bill 2007 on the Consumer Goods

(Publication of Price with Advertisement) introduced in Rajya Sabha; Amendments to the rules

under Tobacco Control Act 2003; the Press Council also gave its views in the year 2000 to the

Central Government on Questionnaire prepared with an objective to update Media laws namely,

The Press and Registration Appellate Board Act, 1867, The Parliamentary Proceedings

(Protection of Publication) Act, 1977, The Press Council Act, 1978 and the Cinematography Act,

1952. Comments were also sent to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Constitution

Review Consultative Committee on insertion of Freedom of Press and Freedom of Information as

express Rights in Chapter III of the Constitution; Opinion was formulated regarding review of

existing provisions of Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, to

provide for ban on advertisements of Drugs & Magic Remedies; The Council also opined on

Legislation on prohibiting contract labour in newspaper industry and Amendment to Working

Journalist Act and other Newspaper Employee Condition of Service & Misc. Provision Act, 1955

and also sent its view on Draft National Policy for Consumers and also on the issue regarding ban

on someauthors by one of the renowned media houses; Opinion of the Council was also sent on

the references received from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Ministry (i) regarding

prevention of cure of Thalassemia Major and need for regular blood donation by all eligible

citizens and (ii) regarding an advertisement involving 'Star News' and 'Jagran' newspaper as a

part of 'sting operation' to expose the racket of sale of the kidney; the Council had taken an active

part in the campaign for the enactment of Right to Information by the Indian Parliament and the

State Legislatures and sent a draft in respect thereof; the Right to Information Act has since come

into force in the year 2005; PIL regarding banning of publication of Rashiphals in media and

public exhibition of burning of effigies of Ravan, Meghnath and Kumbhkaran in media; Banning

publicity through the radio T.V. and newspapers to the Tantrik and requisition of supernatural

powers by Magical means cheating the innocent people; Prohibition of publication or telecast of

vulgar, obscene and surrogate advertisement and remix songs by print and Electronic Media Bill

2004, reference from Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; Reference from Central

Government regarding amendments to the Rules under Tobacco Control Act, 2003, to control

advertisements; Reference from Rajya Sabha Secretariat regarding opinion of the Hon'ble

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Chairman, on Contempt of Court (Amendment) Bill, 2004. Matter raised by Mrs. Karuna Shukla,

M.P. regarding “Need to ban fake advertisement in newspaper inviting applications for

employment with view to safeguard the interest of unemployed persons”. MA No.399 Abu Salem

Abdul Qauoom Ansari Vs. the State of Maharashtra and the Secretary, Ministry of Information and

Broadcasting filed in the Designated Court of Bomb Blast cases, at Greater Bombay (TADA

Court); Proposed Law for Advertisement Standards Regulatory Commission (ASRC);

Communication received from Ministry of Information & Broadcasting regarding Ban on Bogus

Advertisements Bill, 2006; Petition regarding misuse of Right to Freedom of Speech and

Expression by the print and electronic media and the need to restrict under Article 19 (2) of the

Constitution; Short-term measures for prevention of misleading advertisement; Reference

received from Ministry of Information & Broadcasting regarding (i) Examination of subjects

selected for 2007-2008, by Standing Committee on IT-Print Media & Social Ethos and (ii)

Regarding Draft National Policy on Criminal Justice; Judgment of Kerala Consumer Dispute

Redressal Commission, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram dated 13.10.2009 in Appeal No.

698/03 filed by Perfetti Van Melle India Pvt. Ltd. Report of Liberhan Ayodhya Commission of

Inquiry – Memorandum of Action Taken thereon – Reference from the Ministry of Information &

Broadcasting; Reference from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regarding Private

Treaties by Media Companies. The Council p r o p o s e amendments in the Maharashtra

Journalists, Media Persons and News based Electronic Media Houses or News Stations or

Newspaper Establishments (Prevention of Violence against, Attack and damage or loss to

property) Act, 2015. The Press Council proposed amendments in DAVP Advertisement Policy

2016. The Council approved the proposal for amendment to the Indecent Representation of

Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 in interest of the society, the Council resolved for constitution of

a Media Council to cover all forms of media on legal representation on privacy violating, media

trial and abusive news reporting by online platform.

Code of Conduct

The Council has consistently advised the press to adopt restraint and caution in its

reporting. It agrees that an attempt should be made to create an environment in which, through

self-regulation, the press ensures an optimum balance between the exercise of its freedom and its

responsibility. That is the basic objective Press Council seeks to promote and enshrine. In

pursuance, based on the adjudications and other pronouncements rendered by it,the Council has

evolved over the years, principles that are expected to be applied with due discernment and

adaptation by the journalists to regulate his/her own conduct in discharge of professional duties.

Towards this it has so far brought out following :

1. A guide to Journalist Conduct 1995 Edition

2 Norms of Journalistic Conduct 2005 Edition

3. Norms of Journalistic Conduct 2010 Edition

4. Norms of Journalistic Conduct 2018 Edition

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The updated edition of this compilation is being brought out titled “Norms of Journalistic th Conduct, 2019 which is released on 16 November,2019 and available on Council's website.

Workshops/Conferences

As a part of its mandate to create an awareness about media-related issues, the Council

has been organising seminars and workshops in different parts of the country. Special

reference can be made to the seminars on “Press as a leader of the Society” held on March 23-24,

1996, workshop on “Right to Information” on August 10-11, 1996, “Women and Media” on

September 7, 1996.

The Council organized seven seminars during the period between 1997-1998 on

Media and Society on February 1, 1997, at Bhopal; on the problems of the Press in the North

East” on March 16, 1997, at Shillong; on “Freedom of Press and Roles of Press for Good

Governance” on April 19, 1997 in Mumbai; “Media, Environment and Development” on May

4, 1997 in New Delhi. A workshop on February 9, 1998 was organized by the Council on

“Authorities, Media and Press – A Progressive Relationship” to sensitize the authorities on

their relationship with the members of the Press in the interest of free and unrestricted flow of

information.

The Press Council of India along with other three collaborators viz., Press Institute of

India, The National Campaign of Peoples' Right to Information and Forum for Right to

Information organised a seminar on the 'Right to Information' on February 20, 2000 to press the

Government to ensure that the Bill on said subject be introduced soon without any loopholes in the

same. In this regard, a resolution containing proposed amendments to the Bill on the said subject

was sent to the Central Government for consideration. On May 27, 2000, the Council organised a

seminar on 'Future of Print Media and Role of Hindi Press in Nation Building' to commemorate

Golden Jubilee of the adoption of Hindi as Rajbhasha.

A Workshop was organized by Press Council of India on August 4, 2005, in collaboration

with National Institute of Disaster Management to sensitize the Media on Disaster Management.

The Press Council of India with two other collaborators viz. Sakal Papers Ltd. and Pune

Shramik Patrakar Sangh organized a seminar on “Trivialization of Content inMedia”on

February 10, 2006, at Pune. “Role of Media during Communal Strife” was a topic of the Seminar

organised by the Council in collaboration with Hindi Samachar Patra Sammelan in Ayodhya on

March 25, 2006.The Press Council of India incollaboration with Indian Institute of Mass

Communication, Dhenkanal also organised a seminar to commemorate the birth of the first

newspaper of India namely, 'Hicky's Gazette' which started publication from January 29,1780, and

on “Media Ethics” on January 18, 2007, at Dhenkanal, Bhubaneswar.

A two-day Workshop on “Reporting of Court Proceedings by the Media and

Administration of Justice” was organized by the Press Council in collaboration with the Supreme

Court Legal Services Committee, Indian Law Institute, National Legal Services Authority and

Editors Guild of India on March 29-30 in the Capital. This has been followed up with more

workshops at the regional level on the same issue.

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The Press Council of India in association with National Legal Services Authority, th th IGNOU and Editors Guild of India organized from 7 -11 December 2008 a five days residential

training course on “Reporting of Court Proceedings by Media and Administration of Justice” for

legal correspondence/ journalists at New Delhi.

A Workshop on “News Coverage During Crisis: Rights and Responsibilities of Media”

was organized by the Press Council of India in collaboration with the Editor's Guild of India and

Tilak Patrakar Bhavan Trust on January 21, 2009 in Nagpur.

'Media and its Self-Regulation' was a topic of the Seminar organised by the Council

in collaboration with Indian Institute of Mass Communication in New Delhi on January 16, 2013.

The international concern on the role, the media can play in promoting universal human

rights prompted the Press Council of India to schedule deliberations on “Freedom of Expression

and Human Rights” at a two-day International Colloquium on April 28-29, 2011, New Delhi.

The deliberations laid special emphasis on Freedom of Expression Vs. Rights of the Civil Society,

Media as a Defender of Human Rights, Reporting Human Rights Excesses and Promoting Peace

Journalism.

This platform was an opportunity for the media to adjudge its promotion of universal

respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms and also interact and

exchange views on various aspects of the press scenario throughout the world.

Media organizations from various countries like Australia, Austria, Turkey, Israel,

Tanzania, Nepal, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea etc. besides Indian representatives

participated in the deliberations.

National Press Day:

th The day of its inception 16 November in the year 1966 is commemorated on National

Press Day.

th · The Council celebrated “National Press Day” to commemorate the 30

anniversary of the Press Council by organizing two day seminar on November

16-17, 1997 at New Delhi with the discussion on “50 Years of Press in India” and

“Right to Information”.

· Nikhil Chakravarty Memorial Seminar was organised by the Council on

November 16-17, 1998 to observe National Press Day in Delhi. The topic of the

seminar was “Role of the Media in Crises Situations.”

· The National Press Day, in the year 1999 was observed by the Council in the

Capital by organising a seminar on 'Media and the Society'.

· The National Press Day 2000 was organized by the Press Council of India in

collaboration with High Powered Committee on disaster management plan to

observe National Press Day 2000, on November 16 was - "Role of Media:

Preparing People to cope with disasters".

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· The topics for the National Press Day Seminar 2001 which was inaugurated by His

Excellency Shri Krishan Kant, the then Hon'ble Vice-President of India at Vigyan

Bhawan were “Projection of women by media in present-day context” &

“Occupational hazards faced by media persons in conflict situations: relief

& rehabilitation measures in fatal cases”;

· In the year, 2002, inaugural function was held on the eve of National Press Day on

November 15, 2002, on “Future of India: Role of Media”. The function was

inaugurated by Shri Manohar Joshi, the then Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha. To

mark the occasion a Souvenir was also released by Smt. Sushma Swaraj, the then

Hon'ble Minister of Information and Broadcasting, who also presided over the

function. Guest of Honour was Shri F.S. Nariman, M.P. (Rajya Sabha) and Senior

Advocate, Supreme Court of India.

· The National Press Day celebrations 2003 were organized on November 16,

2003, to deliberate on a subject of vital importance to the successful running of the

democratic set up in the country i.e. 'Parliament, Democracy: Role of the Media'.

· The National Press Day, 2004 was observed by the Council in the capital on

November 16 by organizing a Seminar on “Democracy: People's Welfare– Role of

the Four Estates”. The function was inaugurated by Shri Bhairon Singh

Shekhawat, the then Hon'ble Vice-President of India. To mark the occasion, a

Souvenir was also released by Shri S. Jaipal Reddy, the then Hon'ble Minister of

Information and Broadcasting who also presided over the function.

· The National Press Day 2005 was observed in the capital on November 16 by

organizing a seminar on “Media Ethics: Fetters or Freedom.” The celebrations

were inaugurated by Shri Shivraj V. Patil, the then Hon'ble Minister of Home

Affairs. A Souvenir was released on the occasion carrying valuable articles on the

subject.

· The National Press Day 2006, was commemorated with an exhibition on

photojournalism and a two days International Symposia on November 16-17,

2006 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on Media matters to discuss “Journalism,

Ethics and Society in the Age of Globalization” with special emphasis on “Role of

Self Regulatory Bodies in Media” and “Ethics in Media”. This was also the th 40 year of the establishment of the Press Council in India. The then Hon'ble

President of India, H.E. late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam inaugurated the celebrations.

As a special acknowledgement of the role of photojournalism in the field, the

Press Council also organised its first ever international Photo exhibition on the

occasion between November 15 to November 18, 2006, on the contribution of

photo-journalism as a chronicle of tomorrow's history.

· The National Press Day 2007 was observed by the Press Council of India in the

capital on November 16 by organizing a Seminar on “Media as People Voice – Pre

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and Post- Independence”. The then Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Somnath

Chatterjee inaugurated the celebrations. A Souvenir was also released on the

occasion carrying valuable articles on the subject.

· The National Press Day, 2008 was dedicated to “Women and Media”. The then

Hon'ble President of India, H.E. Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil inaugurated the

celebrations in Delhi. A Souvenir released on the occasion carried valuable articles

on the subject. The states also commemorated the day on various levels with

discussion on the subject.

· The National Press Day celebration 2009 was centered on “The Changing Face of

Indian Media”. The celebrations were inaugurated by Dr. K. Rosaiah, the then

Hon'ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

· The National Press Day, 2010 was dedicated to Media and Corporate World:

Challenges and Opportunities. To mark the occasion Norms of Journalistic

Conduct, 2010 edition and Souvenir carrying valuable articles on the subject was

released in the capital by the then Mr. Justice G.N. Ray, Chairman, Press Council

of India.

· The National Press Day, 2011 was celebrated by the Press Council of India on

November 16, by organizing a Seminar on “Media as an Instrument of Public

Accountability”. Shri M. Hamid Ansari, the then Hon'ble Vice-President of India

inaugurated the celebrations in the presence of the then Hon'ble Minister for

Information and Broadcasting, Mrs. Ambika Soni, Shri Rajeev Shukla, the then

Hon'ble Minister for State for Parliamentary Affairs and Member, Press Council of

India and Shri Prakash Javadekar, Member of Parliament and Member, Press

Council of India.

· The National Press Day, 2012 centered around “Freedom of the Media”. The

celebrations were inaugurated by Mr. Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, Former Chief

Justice of India.

· The National Awards for Excellence in Journalism, 2012 were conferred by

Hon'ble Mr. Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah and Hon'ble Mr. Manish Tewari, the then

Minister of State (IC) for Information and Broadcasting on November 16, 2012 on

the occasion of National Press Day.

· The National Press Day, 2013 centered around “Role of Media in Serving the

Public Interest”. The celebrations were in inaugurated by Shri M. Hamid

Ansari, the then Hon'ble Vice- President of India.

· The National Press Day, 2014 was observed with the discussion on“Transparency

in Public Affairs: The Role of the Press” and inaugurated by Hon'ble Mr. Justice

M.N. Venkatachaliah, Former Chief Justice of India. The then Hon'ble Minister

of State for Information and Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and

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Mr. Prakash Javadekar, Hon'ble Minister of State (I/C) for Environment & Forests

and Climate Change graced the occasion as Guests of Honour.

· The National Press Day 2015 was centered on “The Impact and Import of

Cartooning and Caricature as a Medium of Expression of Opinion”. The

celebrations were inaugurated by Hon'ble Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the then

President of India, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the then Hon'ble Minister of

State for Information and Broadcasting graced the occasion as Guest of Honour,

along with Chairman of the Bangladesh Press Council.

· The National Press Day 2016 was centered on “Reporting from Conflict Area, a

Challenge to Media”. The Golden Jubilee celebration of the Press Council of

India was inaugurated by Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. Hon'ble

Mr. M. Venkaiah Naidu, the then Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

alongwith Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the then Minister of State for

Information and Broadcasting graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.

· National Press Day 2017, being valedictory of the Golden Jubilee Year the

platform was shared byIndian and International media bodies on which

deliberations were made on the topic “Challenges before The Media”. The

event was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Vice President of India, Shri M.Venkaiah

Naidu as Chief Guest and the then Hon'ble Minister of Information and

Broadcasting, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani as Guest of Honour.

· The National Press Day 2018 was dedicated to “Journalistic Ethics and Challenges

in Digital Age”. The celebration was inaugurated by late Shri Arun Jaitley, the then

Hon'ble Finance Minister as a Chief Guest. Also Representatives of neighbouring

Countries participated in the event. On this occasion, the National Awards for

Excellence in Journalism were conferred honoring journalists for excelling in

Print Journalism. To mark the occasion updated version of Norms of Journalistic

Conduct 2018 and a Souvenir on the topic were also released.

International Interaction

The World Association of Press Councils, an umbrella organization of Press Councils

and similar bodies in different parts of the world, committed to championing the cause of free

speech and freedom of a responsible press has been meeting at regular intervals to discuss subjects

of vital importance for the world media.

The WAPC at its Executive Committee Meeting at Turkey, Istanbul between June 9- 12,

2006, decided to adopt a new Constitution and set up a permanent Headquarter at Istanbul after due

registration under the laws of the land.

Mr. Justice G. N. Ray, qua Chairman, Press Council of India was the President of the

WAPC from July 9, 2009, to October 5, 2011.This was the second occasion when this prestigious

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body was headed by India. Earlier, Mr. Justice P.B. Sawant, former Chairman, Press Council of

India presided over the body as its President between 1997-2001.

Mr. Justice G. N. Ray, in his capacity as President, WAPC also attended the WAPC meet

hosted by Northern Cyprus Press Council at Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on March 26-

28, 2010, Nepal Press Council from October 23-27, 2010.

WAPC Executive Council meeting was held on April 27, 2011, New Delhi, India

wherein WAPC member countries participated in the deliberations that greatly enriched the

discussions.

On the invitation of Prof. Dr. Sule Aker, President of WAPC, a delegation of two

members of Press Council of India, Shri Kamal Nain Narang and Shri Pradeep Kumar Jain visited th

to Baku, Azerbaijan to participate in Annual General Meeting of WAPC 2019 from 11 September th

2019 to 15 September, 2019 and for discussing the developments and problems regarding

freedom of expressions and security in International media.

The Chairman participated in the debate organized by the Kenyan TV of Kenya on 'Can

the Media Regulate itself' along with Mr. Chris Conybear, Secretary-General, WAPC, Mr. Mitch

Odero, Ethics and Complaints Committee, M.C.K., Mr. Carl Erkgrimstad, Sr. advisor, Norway on

Institute of Journalism and Mr. Alonso Azar, Regional Advisor, UNESCO. The Programme had

concluded with support for the Indian Model of the Press Council. The Chairman, Press Council of

India also had lengthy and fruitful interaction with the British Press Complaints Commission at

London on 28.6.2006.

Hon'ble Chairman and Secretary, Press Council of India participated in the discussions

organized on April 7- 9, 2011 by the National Union of Journalists, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur for

the establishment of Press Council in the country. Representatives of Australia, Indonesia, Hong

Kong, IFJ and Global Forum for Media Development were also present.

The Council also initiated a process of consultation and dialogue with press/media

Councils and similar bodies in different parts of the world for active encouragement to

preservation of the press freedom and promotion of its standards and ethics worldwide. Interaction

included visits to Hong Kong on November 27-30, 2011, Indonesia on December 7- 8, 2011 and

Paris, France from May 28, 2012 to June 3, 2012. The Council also received the representatives

from Afghanistan on April 26, 2011, South Africa on November 23, 2011 a delegation of

Editors/Senior Journalists from seven Latin American countries on April 17, 2012 and another

delegation from Myanmar June 29, 2012.

On the occasion of National Press Day, 2015 the Council received the Chairman of

Bangladesh Press Council and their delegation between 15-17 November, 2015 the delegation

took part in the Press Day functions held at Vigyan Bhawan which was graced by the then Hon'ble

President Shri Pranab Mukherjee. Next day, Bangladesh delegation on meeting with the PCI, the

delegation briefed about the composition, functioning and powers of the Press Council of India

and also its procedure and also discussed the issues of the paid news, safety of journalists and

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jurisdiction over electronic media and its functions and contents, the interaction was of mutual

benefit and the two sides agreed to take the deliberations forward in future interactions.

An eleven-member delegation of Press Council of India led by Hon'ble Chairman, Press

C o u n c i l of India Mr. Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad visited Bangladesh September 26-

29, 2016 on the invitation of Chairman, Press Council of Bangladesh. During the visit, the

Delegation called on Hon'ble MD HaqueInu, Member of Parliament and discussed the media

scenario of both countries. The delegation had several rounds of bilateral discussions to co-

operate in activities promoting peace journalism and to carry out journalism exchange programme

and signed a joint statement.

The delegation of Bangladesh Press Council, Sri Lankan Press Council, Nepal Press

Council and Maldives Council visited India November 15-18, 2016 namely Justice Muhammed

Mamataz Uddin Ahmed, Mr. Koggala Wellala Bandula, Mr. Borna Bahadur Karki, respectively

took part in the Press Day function held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi and interacted with Hon'ble

Chairman, Mr. Justice C.K.Prasad on November 17, 2016 along with members of the Press

Council of India. The Delegations also discussed on the draft Constitution, Rules & Regulations

and Memorandum of South Asian Alliance of Press Councils. The interaction was of mutual

benefit and it agreed to take the deliberations in future interaction.

Hon'ble Chairman, Press Council of India, Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad visited

Indonesia May 1-4, 2017 on the invitation of UNESCO, Jakarta, Indonesia on the occasion of

World Press Freedom Day 2017 and discussed the media scenario in the context of World & also

visited Sri Lanka August 1-3, 2017 on the invitation of Sri Lanka on the occasion of Awarding of

Certificates for Batch VI in the Diploma in Media Studies and Journalism and interacted between

both the countries to cooperated in activities promoting peace journalism.

The Hon'ble Chairman Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad along with the three

members and Secretary, Press Council of India visited Sri Lanka on 28.11.2018 on an invitation of

Sri Lanka Press Council on the occasion of Awarding Ceremony Conferring Certificates in

Diploma Media Studies.

On invitation of Chairman of the Bangladesh Press Council (BPC) Justice Md. Mamtaz

Uddin Ahmed, Hon'ble Chairman, Mr. Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad along with the

Secretary, Press Council of India, Mr. Anupama Bhatnagar and four members of the Council Shri

Jaishankar Gupta, Prof. Sushma Yadav, Shri Sayad Raza Husain Rizvi and Shri C.K. Nayak

visited to Dhaka, Bangladesh to participate in the seminar, on the occasion of Bangladesh Press

Council Day under the patronage of H.E. the President of Bangladesh from February 17-21, 2019.

During the meeting of the said visiting, the Press Council of India's delegation discussed on the

proposed formation of SAAPC and few delegates of the Press Associations/Councils of the

various countries gave an idea to proceed with the formation of the proposed South Asian Alliance

of Press Councils excluding Pakistan.

And recently, a delegation of two members of the Council Shri Om Prakash Khemkarni

and Shri Shyam Singh Panwar visited to Kathmandu, Nepal to participate in the Golden Jubilee

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Ceremony of Press Council Nepal from September 22 – 25, 2019 on the invitation of Nepal Press

Council.

Memorandum of Understanding

· MoU between Press Council of India and Indonesia : A MoU was signed

between Press Council of India and Press Council of Indonesia on January 25,

2011, agreeing to: i) to cooperate in activities promoting peace journalism; ii) to

organize a seminar on journalism in conflict areas and covering terrorism

activities; iii) to carry out a journalism exchange programme.

· MoU between Press Council of India and Press Council Nepal: A

Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Press Council of India

and Nepal Press Council on September 22, 2014 at Kathmandu in Nepal on the th

occasion of 45 Anniversary of Nepal Press Council, during the Nepal visit of

Hon'ble Chairman, Press Council of India, for the purpose to cooperate in

activities promoting peace journalism.

MoU with Nepal was renewed on 17.11.2016 for further two years and the same

was renewed on 16/11/2018 for further five years on the occasion of National Press

Day, 2018.

· MoU between Press Council of India and Bangladesh Press Council: a MoU

was signed between Bangladesh Press Council and Press Council of India on

17.11.2016 for co- operation in the field of journalism and both Press Councils will

interalia strive for visa-free professional visit to each country by the accredited

media persons.

MoU with Bangladesh Press Council was also renewed on 17.11.2016 for further

two years and the same was renewed for further five years on the occasion of

National Press Day,2018.

· MoU between Press Council of India and Myanmar Press Council :

Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Press Council of India and

Myanmar Press Council on 6/9/2017 for five years during the visit to Myanmar of

the delegation of Press Council of India led by Hon'ble Chairman, Press Council of

India Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad for the purpose to cooperate in

activities promoting peace journalism.

· MoU between Press Council of India and Sri Lanka Press Council : On the

occasion of National Press Day 2018 the Press Council of India signed the

Bilateral Agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) with Sri Lanka Press

Council for promoting the journalism and maintaining the freedom of the press for

a period of five years on 16/11/2018.

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South Asian Alliance of Press Councils (SAAPC) :

A meeting of the formation of proposed, South Asian Alliance of Press Councils,

representing Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Maldives was held on the occasion of

National Press Day 2017 to take forward the formation of Alliance thereby considering the draft

Constitution along with road map ahead. Further, the discussions over the formation of Alliance

was taken forward in the meeting proposed by Bangladesh Press Council on February 19, 2018,

with Hon'ble Mr. Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad, Chairman, Press Council of India and other

representatives of South Asian countries. This matter has been also discussed in Sri Lanka during

the visit to Sri Lanka of Hon'ble Chairman, Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad, and Press th stCouncil of India along with the delegation of Press Council of India (28 to 31 October, 2018).

Internship Programme :

As per the mandate of the Press Council Act, 1978 u/s 13(2) (b), (c) & (d), the Press

Council of India has commenced the internship programme i.e. Summer Internship Programme &

Winter Internship Programme in a year for the duration of 30 days in each session for Journalism

Students.

Publications*: The following publications of the Council shall elucidate its working.

1. Annual Report (English/Hindi)

2. The PCI Review (English/Hindi)

3. Norms of Journalistic Conduct(English/Hindi)

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