Guwahati: The Press Club of Assam (PCA) has expressed concern over the Press Council of India (PCI) remaining inactive for nearly five months. The PCA urged the authorities to form the 15th Press Council, as the term of the 14th Press Council ended on October 5, 2024. It also suggested expanding PCI’s powers to include news channels and digital media under a new “Media Council of India.”
The PCI, an autonomous body first set up in 1966, works to protect press freedom and maintain journalistic standards. India has around 100,000 registered publications and nearly 400 news channels, along with thousands of digital platforms.
Media organizations across the country have criticized the delay in forming a new council. They believe the PCI has been deliberately left inactive.
PCA leaders Kailash Sarma, Nava Thakuria, and Hiren Ch Kalita stressed the need for an active PCI, as it plays a crucial role in handling complaints against journalists and ensuring press freedom. The PCI also has the authority to raise concerns if any government body interferes with media independence.
The PCI consists of a chairman (usually a retired Supreme Court judge) and 28 members, including journalists, newspaper owners, representatives from Parliament, and experts in education, law, and literature. The PCA urged the government to act quickly to restore the PCI’s functioning.
