5 hrs ago
Press Council of India Remains Half-Strength Without Journalists or Editors
The Press Council of India is a group that helps oversee the press.
Its rules say it should have a chairperson and 28 members.
Right now, 14 members have been appointed, but 13 people nominated as editors and journalists are still waiting for official notices.
The Council sent the government several requests to publish those notices.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the paperwork was nearly finished.
The Council has continued to meet, even though it does not have all its members.
A lawmaker also called on the government to complete the appointments.
The Council says having all its members would help it carry out its regular work.
The 15th Press Council of India has only 14 of its 28 members appointed, in addition to its chairperson.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has yet to notify 13 nominees: six newspaper editors and seven working journalists.
The Council nominated the editors in December 2024, six journalists in May, and the seventh journalist in July.
The Press Council sent the Ministry three requests for Gazette notifications, most recently on September 9.
The Ministry said the notifications were at the final stage; the Council held a meeting in June and plans another later this month.
- Who
- The Press Council of India and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; 13 nominated editors and working journalists are awaiting official notification.
- What
- The 15th Press Council remains incomplete, with 13 member nominations not yet formally notified.
- Where
- India.
- When
- The nominations were made in batches from December 2024 through July; the latest request was sent on September 9.
- Why
- The Ministry has not yet completed and issued the Gazette notifications required for the nominations to take effect.
Key facts
- Council size under the Act
- A chairperson and 28 members
- Current appointed members
- 14 of 28, aside from the chairperson
- Pending notifications
- 13 nominees: six newspaper editors and seven working journalists
- Governing law
- Press Council Act, 1978
- Nomination requests
- The Council wrote to the Ministry on May 25, July 2 and September 9
- Ministry response
- It said notification was at the final stage and expected shortly after formalities
- Chairperson
- Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai was reappointed in April after a vacancy of nearly four months
- Recent Council meeting
- The last meeting was in June; another was scheduled for later that month
Quotes
Press Council of India
The statutory media watchdog, in a letter to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
“This is essential to enable the 15th term of the Council to become fully representative and functional so that it can discharge its regular responsibilities.”
indianexpress.com
Sasmit Patra
Biju Janata Dal legislator who raised the issue in Parliament.
“Restoring the full functioning of the PCI is essential to uphold democratic values, strengthen media accountability and reaffirm the government’s commitment to a free, fair and responsible press.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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