Question

Q24. Consider the following statements:

1. The Press Council of India is a statutory body in India that governs the conduct of the print media.

2. The Press Council is a quasi-judicial body which acts as a watchdog of the press.

Which of the statements are correct?

• A. a) 1 only
• B. b) 2 only
• C. c) Both 1 and 2
• D. d) None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is C

c) Both 1 and 2

Press Council of India

• The Press Council of India is a statutory body in India that governs the conduct of the print media.
• Presently, the Council functions under the Press Council Act 1978 which arose from the recommendations of the Second Press Commission of India (1978).
• The Press Council is a quasi-judicial body which acts as a watchdog of the press. It adjudicates the complaints against and by the press for violation of ethics and for violation of the freedom of the press respectively.
• The Council’s actions may not be questioned unless it is proved to be in violation of the constitution, which makes it an exceedingly powerful body.
• The Press Council is headed by a Chairman: usually, a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India.
• The Council is founded by revenue collected by it as fees levied on the registered newspapers in the country on the basis of their circulation. No fee is levied on newspapers with a circulation of less than 5000 copies. The deficit is made good by grants by the Central Government, through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.