National Press Day

Why in News?

• National Press Day has recently celebrated across India every year on 16th November to commemorate the setting up of the Press Council of India.

Highlights 

• It was first set up in 1966 under the Indian Press Council Act, 1965, on the recommendations of the first Press Commission, with the two-fold objective of preserving the freedom of the press by maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and the news agencies in India
• As a quasi-judicial autonomous authority, it was re-established in the year 1979 under an Act of Parliament, Press Council Act, 1978.
• The Press Council of India is the only body to exercise an authority even over the instruments of the State in its duty to safeguard the independence of the press
• The Council is a body corporate having perpetual succession consisting of a Chairman and 28 members.
• The Chairman is selected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and a member elected amongst themselves by the 28 members of the Council.
• The council can undertake studies and express its opinion in regard to any bill, legislation, law or other matters concerning the Press and convey its opinion to the Government or the persons concerned.
• In matters of public importance, the Council may take cognizance and constitute a Special Committee to make an on-the-spot inquiry.
• To help newspapers and news agencies to maintain their independence.
• To build up a code of conduct for newspapers, news agencies and journalists in accordance with high professional standards.
• To ensure on the part of the newspapers, news agencies and journalists, the maintenance of high standards of public taste and foster a due sense of both the rights and responsibilities.