The Press Council of India (PCI) has recently expressed its condemnation for an attack on a Republic TV anchor, causing the PCI to become a focal point in the news. Established under the PCI Act of 1978, its primary aim is to safeguard the freedom of the press while also maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and news agencies within India.
Overview of the Press Council of India
The PCI is composed of a chairman and 28 members, with the chairman being appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and a member elected by the PCI. Its mission is centered around preserving the independence of newspapers, formulating a code of conduct for journalists and news agencies, upholding high public taste standards, encouraging responsibility among citizens, and reviewing any developments that could potentially limit the news flow.
The Functioning and Powers of the PCI
The PCI has been bestowed with the power to receive complaints regarding violations of journalistic ethics or professional misconduct perpetrated by an editor or journalist. It shoulders the responsibility of enquiring into the complaints received and, if necessary, can summon witnesses, demand copies of public records, take evidence under oath, admonish the newspaper, news agency, editor, or journalist, and even issue warnings. Notably, once a decision has been reached by the PCI, it is final and cannot be appealed before a court of law.
Limitations of the Press Council of India
Despite its expansive powers, there are two key limitations on the PCI. Firstly, it has limited enforcement abilities regarding the guidelines it issues. This means that it lacks the power to penalize newspapers, news agencies, editors and journalists who violate these norms. The second limitation pertains to its jurisdiction; the PCI only oversees the functioning of the print media, encompassing newspapers, journals, magazines, and other forms of print media. However, the PCI does not have the authority to review or regulate the functioning of electronic media platforms, including radio, television, and internet media.
The Press Council of India plays a pivotal role in maintaining journalistic standards, upholding press freedoms, and regulating print media practices within the country. Despite some limitations, it continues to emphasize ethical journalism and responsible news reporting.