- The National Press Day is observed annually on November 16th to commemorate the the establishment of the Press Council of India (PCI) and the start of its operations in 1966.
- Theme: “Changing Nature of the Press“
- According to the Press Freedom Index, published annually by Reporters Without Borders, India is currently ranked 159 out of 180 nations (1st –Norway, 2nd –Denmark 3rd -Sweden).
Key Features of the National Press Day Celebration
- It is observed through a range of activities, such as the National Awards for Excellence in Journalism and the release of a Souvenir.
- National Award for Excellence in Journalism: Recognizes outstanding journalists, with the prestigious Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award as the highest honor.
- Souvenir: Compilation of messages and articles from media leaders and experts, highlighting achievements in journalism.
Press Council of India (PCI)
- Establishment: It was first set up in 1966 under the Indian Press Council Act, 1965, on the recommendations of the first Press Commission 1956.
- Body: It is a statutory quasi-judicial autonomous authority reestablished in the year 1979 under an Act of Parliament because the 1965 Act was repealed in 1975 due to “Emergency”.
- Role and functions:
- Protecting the press’s independence and to ensure the media can function without fear or interference.
- The Council can also comment on any authority’s conduct, including the government, regarding interference with press freedom under Section (4).
- Its decisions are final and cannot be challenged in any court.
- Composition: Includes a chairman (usually a retired Supreme Court judge) and 28 members from diverse fields.
- Nomination Committee: Chairman is nominated by a committee consisting of a Chairman of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), Speaker of the House of People (Lok Sabha) and a person elected amongst themselves by the 28 members of the Council.
Initiatives to Empower the Press
- Recent Developments:
- 2023: Report on LGBTQ+ media representation and guidelines for disaster reporting.
- 2022: Updated journalistic conduct norms to enhance ethical standards.
- International Engagement: Collaborations with media councils in countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.The South Asian Alliance of Press Councils (SAAPC) was formed to promote collaboration among press councils in the region.
- MoUs: Signed agreements to promote press freedom globally.
- Educational Initiatives: Internship programs to engage and train journalism students on media ethics and responsibilities.
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