Context:
National Press Day, observed annually on November 16, celebrates the establishment of PCI
Press Council of India (PCI):
- Statutory, quasi-judicial body that acts as a watchdog of the press freedom in India.
- Genesis – First set up in 1966 by the parliament on the recommendations of the First Press Commission under the chairmanship of Justice J.R Mudholkar.
- Functions under – Press Council Act 1978.
- Composition – Chairman and 28 other members.
- The Chairman is nominated by a committee of –
- Chairman of Rajya Sabha
- Speaker of Lok Sabha
- 1 elected representative of the press council members.
- The Chairman, by convention, has been a retired judge of the Supreme Court.
- Term of the Chairman and the members – 3 years.
- Primary Function – Preserving the freedom of the press by maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and the news agencies in India.
- Powers –
- Adjudicates the complaints either against the Press for violation of journalistic ethics or by the Press for interference with its freedom.
- The council shall have the same powers throughout India as are vested in a Civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
- Every inquiry held by the council shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding under sections 193 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code.
- The decision of the council is final and can not be challenged in any court of law.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
With reference to ‘Quality Council of India (QCI)’, consider the following statements:
1. QCI was set up jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry.
2. The Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendations of the industry to the Government.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2017 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
