Prelims Perspective: 

  • What is the Press Council of India, its composition and powers.

What needs to be known?

  • Press Council of India (PCI)
    • What is it?: PCI is a statutory (Indian Press Council Act, 1965), quasi-judicial body established to preserve the freedom of the press and maintain standards of journalism in India.
    • Composition & Term
      • It consists of 29 members (1 Chairman + 28 Members).
      • Chairman is conventionally a retired Supreme Court judge nominated by a committee comprising the Vice President (Rajya Sabha Chairman), Lok Sabha Speaker, and a member elected by the PCI.
      • The 28 other members include 13 working journalists, 6 newspaper owners/managers, 1 news agency representative, 5 MPs and 3 experts nominated by UGC, Bar Council, and Sahitya Academy.
      • The term of the Chairman and other members is 3 years.
    • Powers: Decisions are final and cannot be appealed in a court.
    • Limitations
      • Cannot impose fines or legal penalties on media organisations or journalists.
      • Does not directly regulate electronic/digital media and only advisory in power.

Source: The Hindu