Every year on 16th November, National Press Day is observed to commemorate the establishment of the Press Council of India. This year marks the 57th anniversary of the Press Council of India.
The free press provides a common channel of communication especially to the powerless. The Press is responsible for examining the quality of reportage that is done by the Indian media.
Freedom of the press ensures its integrity and its ability to be the voice of the voiceless and a bridge that connects the rulers to the ruled.
The goal of the press is to bring to light any injustice faced by the people and highlight and talk about the malaise in the system. It is meant to help the government to bring solutions to these problems, while strengthening the values of democracy.
For this very reason, the press is referred to as one of the four pillars of a democracy and is the only medium through which the common citizen can directly participate in governance. The other three pillars are the Executive, Legislative, and the Judiciary.
The Press Council of India (PCI) is extremely crucial for the country as it was set up to protect the fourth pillar of democracy, that is, the free press, and make sure that the credibility of journalism is not compromised.
The First Press Commission in the year 1956, decided to form a body that was meant to fulfil the responsibility of maintaining the ethics of journalism. The Commission felt that a managing body was required in order to connect with the people of the press and also to adjudicate on any issues that arose.
Soon after in 1966, on 16the November, the PCI was formed and following this, the National Press Day has been celebrated ever since on 16th November, every year to commemorate the establishment of the council.
According to the Press Council of India’s official website, the council is chaired by a retired Supreme Court Judge and 28 additional members of which 20 are members of the media outlets operating in India. Five members are nominated from the Houses of the Parliament and the other three represent cultural, legal and literary fields.
