Introduction
The Press Council of India (PCI) stands as the cornerstone of press ethics and journalistic standards in India. Established as a statutory, quasi-judicial body, the PCI plays a crucial role in maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and news agencies in the world’s largest democracy. This report delves into the structure, functions, and impact of the PCI, exploring its role in shaping media ethics and addressing the evolving challenges in the Indian media landscape.
Historical Context of The Press Council of India
The idea of a press council in India was first mooted in 1956 by the First Press Commission. However, it wasn’t until 1966 that the Press Council of India was established through the Press Council Act, 1965. The council was conceived as a mechanism for the press to regulate itself, ensuring freedom of speech while maintaining responsible journalism.
Structure and Composition of the Press Council of India
The Press Council of India is a statutory body with a unique composition that reflects its role as a bridge between the press, the public, and the government.
The Press Council Act, 1978, in Section 5(1), specifies the composition of the Council:
“The Council shall consist of a Chairman and twenty-eight other members.”
The Chairman is traditionally a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India. The members include:
- 13 working journalists, of whom six shall be editors of newspapers and remaining seven shall be working journalists other than editors
- Six persons from among persons who own or carry on the business of management of newspapers
- Five members of Parliament, of whom three shall be nominated by the Speaker of the House of the People and two shall be nominated by the Chairman of the Council of States
- Three persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of education and science, law, and literature and culture
This diverse composition ensures that various stakeholders in the media ecosystem are represented in the Council’s deliberations and decisions.
Legal Framework and Mandate
The Press Council of India derives its authority from the Press Council Act, 1978. This Act outlines the Council’s objectives and functions.
Section 13(1) of the Act states the objects of the Council:
“The objects of the Council shall be to preserve the freedom of the Press and to maintain and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India.”
The Act empowers the PCI to:
- Help newspapers and news agencies maintain their independence
- Build up a code of conduct for newspapers, news agencies, and journalists
- Keep under review any development likely to restrict the supply and dissemination of news of public interest and importance
- Concern itself with developments such as concentration of or other aspects of ownership of newspapers and news agencies that may affect the independence of the press
Norms of Journalistic Conduct
One of the most significant contributions of the PCI is the formulation of the Norms of Journalistic Conduct. These norms serve as guidelines for ethical journalism in India.
The Norms cover various aspects of journalistic practice, including:
- Accuracy and fairness
- Pre-publication verification
- Caution against defamatory writings
- Parameters of the right of the press to comment on the acts and conduct of public officials
- Critics and reviews
- Privacy of public figures
- Conjecture, comment, and fact
- Newspapers to eschew suggestive guilt
The Norms state:
“The fundamental objective of journalism is to serve the people with news, views, comments and information on matters of public interest in a fair, accurate, unbiased, sober and decent manner.”
Complaint Mechanism and Adjudication Process
The PCI acts as a moral watchdog for the press. It has established a robust mechanism for addressing complaints against the press for violation of journalistic ethics or public interest.
The complaint process involves:
- Filing of complaint: Any person can file a complaint with the PCI against a newspaper, news agency, editor, or journalist for breach of journalistic ethics.
- Inquiry: The PCI conducts an inquiry into the complaint, giving both parties an opportunity to be heard.
- Adjudication: After the inquiry, the PCI can warn, admonish, or censure the newspaper, news agency, editor, or journalist.
Section 14(1) of the Press Council Act states:
“Where, on receipt of a complaint made to it or otherwise, the Council has reason to believe that a newspaper or news agency has offended against the standards of journalistic ethics or public taste or that an editor or working journalist has committed any professional misconduct, the Council may, after giving the newspaper, or news agency, the editor or journalist concerned an opportunity of being heard, hold an inquiry in such manner as may be provided by regulations made under this Act and, if it is satisfied that it is necessary so to do, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, warn, admonish or censure the newspaper, the news agency, the editor or the journalist or disapprove the conduct of the editor or the journalist, as the case may be.”
Key Areas of Focus
Over the years, the PCI has focused on several key areas to maintain press ethics and standards:
- Paid News: The PCI has been at the forefront of efforts to combat the menace of paid news, where advertisements are disguised as news content.
- Media Trials: The Council has repeatedly cautioned against media trials that can potentially influence the course of justice.
- Sensationalism: Guidelines have been issued to curb sensationalist reporting, especially in cases involving crime and violence.
- Fake News: With the rise of digital media, the PCI has increasingly focused on the issue of fake news and misinformation.
Landmark Decisions and Recommendations
The PCI has made several landmark decisions and recommendations that have shaped media ethics in India:
In the case of “Paid News” (2010), the PCI observed:
“Paid news is a complex phenomenon and has acquired different forms over the last six decades. It goes beyond the corruption of individual journalists and media companies and has become pervasive, structured and highly organized.”
Regarding sting operations, in its report on “Privacy, Secrecy and Sting Journalism” (2007), the PCI noted:
“Sting operations showing bribery of public officials or entrapment of public figures in compromising situations cannot be justified on grounds of public interest unless there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoing.”
Challenges and Criticisms of Press Council of India
Despite its crucial role, the PCI faces several challenges and criticisms:
- Limited Powers: The PCI’s powers are limited to admonishment and censure. It cannot impose fines or cancel licenses.
- Exclusion of Electronic Media: The PCI’s mandate is limited to print media, excluding television and digital news platforms.
- Government Influence: There are concerns about potential government influence on the PCI’s functioning, given that some members are nominated by the government.
Press Freedom and the Press Council of India
The PCI plays a dual role of preserving press freedom while also ensuring responsible journalism. It has often spoken out against attempts to curb press freedom.
In its report on “Safety of Journalists” (2015), the PCI stated:
“Freedom of the press is an integral part of freedom of expression, which is recognised as a fundamental human right… Any attack on journalists is an attack on freedom of press.”
Digital Media and Evolving Challenges
The rise of digital media has presented new challenges for press ethics and regulation. While the PCI’s direct mandate does not cover digital media, it has been vocal about the need for ethical standards in online journalism.
In its report on “Fake News” (2020), the PCI recommended:
“There is an urgent need to equip the reader to distinguish between news and fake news, and between news and views.”
International Comparisons
India’s Press Council model differs from press regulatory bodies in many other countries. For instance, the UK’s Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) is a voluntary regulator, while the Australian Press Council is an independent body funded by its members.
Conclusion
The Press Council of India plays a vital role in maintaining press ethics and journalistic standards in India. Through its norms of journalistic conduct, complaint adjudication mechanism, and periodic recommendations, the PCI has significantly contributed to shaping the ethical landscape of Indian media.
However, the rapidly evolving media ecosystem, particularly the rise of digital platforms, presents new challenges. The limited powers of the PCI and its exclusion of electronic and digital media from its purview are issues that need to be addressed to ensure comprehensive media ethics regulation in India.
As India continues to navigate the complex interplay between press freedom, responsible journalism, and the challenges posed by new media technologies, the role of the Press Council of India remains crucial. The ongoing debates around the expansion of its mandate and powers underscore the need for an evolving approach to media ethics regulation in the world’s largest democracy.
Moving forward, striking the right balance between self-regulation and statutory oversight, while adapting to the digital age, will be key to ensuring a free, fair, and responsible press in India. The Press Council of India, with its rich history and experience, is well-positioned to lead this evolution, provided it receives the necessary support and empowerment to address the challenges of 21st-century journalism.
