Mass Communication topic

1. PRESS COUNCIL

2. PRESS COUNCIL ??????
The Press Council is a statutory and
autonomous body which formulates
guidelines or code of conduct for the
press which is followed by members of
the Press voluntarily
Self control is the best method for the control of the Press.

3. PRESS COUNCIL -orgin
Sweden is the first country to form Press Council -1916.It was
called the Court of Honour.
At present there are about 40 countries that have their own
Press Council.
In all countries except Italy and Holland ,Press Councils have
been voluntarily set up
The Functions and Powers of Press Councils of various
countries are found to differ.
In USA ,guidelines of the Press Council are made in
consultation with the legal experts.
In UK,The Press Council is formed by journalists ,
academicians etc.It is not a statutory body and has no legal
power

4. PRESS COUNCIL –In India
In India,The Press Council is a statutory body created by the Press
Council Act consisting of journalists ,MP s and Academicians
It was commisioned on the recommendation of the First Press
Commisision in 1954
Objective –a.To look after the editorial independence ,objectivity of
news presentation and fairness of comments etc on the part of the
newspapers.
b.To foster the development of Press ,protecting it from external
pressures and regulate it’s conduct matters such as objectionable writing
The Press Concil of India was constituted by the govt of Indiain 1966
under the Press council Act of 1965,with Justice J.R.Mudholkar,The Judge
of the supreme court as it’s chairman which was later amended in 1970
 During the internal emergency,The Press Council was abolished and The
Press Council Act was repealed on its failure of achieving objectives of
establishment.(developing a code of conduct ,preventing provocative and
unrestrained writings.

5. PRESS COUNCIL –In India
A fresh Legislature for establishment to the second press council was
enacted.
The new objectiveof the revised press council are –
1.To preserve freedom of the press
2.To improve the standards of newspapers and newsagencies in the
country.
3.To enquire into complaints received by it.
4.Building up a code of conduct for newspapers, newsagencies and
journalists in accordance with high professional standards.

6. PRESS COUNCIL –the structure
Term -3 yrs
Constitution of the Press Council –
Total members -28
Chairman -01.The chairman is always a retired judge of the Supreme Court. He is
nominated by a committee consisting of the chairman of Rajya Sabha,Speaker of Lok
Sabha,and one elected representative of council member.
Among the 28 members –
a.Working Journalists (6 editors of newspapers,7 working journalists other than editors) -
: 13
b. From Management , big , medium and small newspapers : 06
c.News Agencies :01
d.Members of Parliament nominated by speaker of Lok Sabha :05
(3 from Lok sabha and 2 from Rajya Sabha)
e.Persons having special knowledge or practical experience in the following fields
a.Education and Science(nominated by UGC) :01
b.Law and Literature(nominated by Bar Council) :01
c.Culture(nominated by Sahitya Academy) :01

7. PRESS COUNCIL ACT ,1978
An act to establish a council for the purpose of preserving the freedom of The Press
and maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and newsagencies in
India.
Sec 4:The Central Government may establish a council by the name ,Press Council of
India . It shall be a body corporate having Perpetual succession and a common seal
and shall by the said name sue and be sued.
Sec 5 : It shall consists of a chairman and 28 members out of whom The Chairman
shall be nominated by a committee consisting of a speaker of Lok Sabha,Chairman of
Rajya Sabha and a member of the council,7 members shall be nominated from
among the working journalists,6 shall be nominated from among newspaper owner
and managers,6 shall be nominated from newspapers and managers ,1 shall be
nominated from news agencies,3 shall be,one each from UGC,The Bar Council of
India and Sahitya Academy and 5 shall be MP’s nominated by the Speaker of Lok
Sabha(3) and Chairman of Rajya Sabha (2)

8. PRESS COUNCIL ACT ,1978
Powers and Functions of the Council –
Sec 13 (1) 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
2)The Council may in furtherance of its objects , perform the following functions
namely –
(a)To help newspapers and news agencies to maintain their independence
(b)To build up a code of conduct for newspapers ,news agencies and journalists in
accordance with high professional standards.
(c ) to ensure on the part of the newspapers ,news agencies and journalists,the
maintainance of high standards of public taste and foster a due sense of both rights
and responsibilities of citizenship.
d)To encourage the growth of the sense of responsibility and public service among all
those engaged in the profession of journalism
e)To keep under review any development likely to restrict the supply and
dessimination of news of public intrest and importance.
f)To keep under review cases of assistance received by any newspaper or news
agency in India from any foreign source including such cases as by an individual ,
association , of persons or other organization

9. g)To undertake studies of foreign newspapers ,including those brought out by any
embassy or other representative in India of foreign state , their circulation and impact.
h)To promote a proper functional relationship among all classes of persons engaged in
the production or publication of newspapers or in news agencies.
i)To concern itself with the developments such as concentration of or other aspects of
ownership of newspapers and news agencies which may affect the independence of the
Press and
j)To understand such studies as may be entrusted to the Council and to express its
opinion in regard to any matter referred to it by the Central Government.

10. Sec 14(1)Where on receipt of a complaint made to it ,the council may after giving the
newspaper or news agency the editor or journalist concerned an opportunity of being
heard hold and enquiry in such a manner as may be provided by regulations made
under this act .If necessary it may for reasons to be recorded in writing warn, adnomish
or censure the newspaper , news agency, editor, or journalist
The council may not take cognizance of complaint if it is of opinion that there is no
sufficient ground for holding an enquiry
(2)If the Council is of the opinion that it is necessary in public intrest,it may require
particulars relating to any inquiry
(3)The council shall not be empowered to hold enquiry into any matter of which
proceeding is pending in a court of law.
(4)The decision of the council shall be final and not be questioned in any court of law.

11. Sec 15: For the purpose of performing it’s function or holding any enquiry,the council
shall have the same powers as vested in a civil court,in respect of the following
matters –
a.Summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and examining them on oath
b.Requiring the discovery and inspections of documents
c.Reviving evidence
d. requisitioning any public record or copies therof from any court or office.
e.Issuing commisions for the examination of witnesses or documents.
Sec 16 The council may for the purpose of performing its function levy such fees at such
rates and such manners may be prescribed from registered newspapers and news
agencies
Sec 17:The central government made by the parliament by law in this behalf ,pay to the
council by way of grants such sums of money as the Central govt may consider
necessary for the performance of the functions of the council.
The council shall have it’s own fund and the fees may be collected by it ,all such sums as
may made from time to time be paid to the central govt. and all grants and advances
made to it by any authority or person shall be credited to the fund and all payments by
the Council shall be made therefrom.

12. Sec 19:The council shall prepare in such form and at such time each year as
may be prescribed a budget in respect of the financial year next ensuing
showing the estimated receipts and expenditure .
Sec 20:The council shall prepare once every year in such a form as may be
prescribed an annual report giving a summary of all activities during the
previous year .
Sec 23: No suit or legal proceeding shall lie against any the council or any
member there of or any person acting under the direction of the council in
respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under
this act.

13. PRESS COUNCIL –Cases handled
Last one year
Complaints received -8939 (out of which 6246 were against the
press)
Major Complaints against the press–
1.Publication of unverified and abusive language
2.Printing of obscene pictures
3.Communal and Castiest writings
4.Attempts to inflame communal passion
5.Refusal to publish replies
6.Encroachment on privacy
7.Distorted and Prejudiced reporting
8.Suppression of facts
9.Sensationl and misleading headings
10.Malicious reporting and writing

14. PRESS COUNCIL –Cases handled
Complaints made by the press against government
administration/police/politicians/publicity dept –
1.False and malicious charges
2.False arrests and detentions in police custody
3.Threats to life and property
4.In action of police on complaints filed by journalists
5.Threats to life, liberty and property
6.Suspension and cancellation of advertisements.
7.Withholding of or reduction of news print quota.
8.Stopage of electricity and water supply
9.Raids and attempts to demolish newspaper offices.
10.Seizure of copies and their destruction

15. PRESS COUCIL –A TOOTHLESS TIGER???????????