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quasi-judicial autonomous authority reestablished in the year 1979 under an Act of Parliament because the 1965 Act was repealed in 1975 due to “Emergency”.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.