NEW DELHI: Every year on November 16th, National Press Day is commemorated to recognize and respect the Press Council of India, a constitutional and quasi-judicial body. The day commemorates India's presence of a free and responsible press.
PCI is a self-regulatory organisation that operates under the Press Council Act of 1978. It has a chairman, a retired Supreme Court judge, and 28 additional members, 20 of whom are members of the media, five of whom are members of the Indian parliament's Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and three of whom represent culture, literature, and law as nominees of the Sahitya Academy, University Grant Commission, and Bar Council of India. The current chairman is Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad.
The fourth pillar of democracy is known as the media. Journalists are believed to be a mirror of society, revealing the truth in the face of adversity. This day commemorates the press's independence and societal responsibility. On this day, the Press Council of India was established.
The First Press Commission, established in 1956, projected a commission to safeguard journalistic ethics and press freedom in India. It resulted in the establishment of a Press Council a decade later.
To establish credibility, the Press Council of India oversees all journalistic operations. The Press Council of India plays an essential role in the country's democratic health. It also assures that the Indian press is unaffected by overseas events.
On November 16, 1966, the Press Council of India was established to oversee the quality of reporting in the Indian press. The Press Council of India serves as a moral compass, guaranteeing that Indian journalists are not influenced by outside forces. Following that, on July 4, 1966, India formed the Press Council, which began operations on November 16, 1966.
Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, sent a greeting to the media on the occasion through Twitter. "Greetings to all members of the media fraternity on #NationalPressDay," he wrote. As the Fourth Pillar of Democracy, your unwavering pursuit of truth and education about people' rights has bolstered our democracy. Your contribution during the COVID-19 epidemic was also outstanding."
The CM's statement was also carried on Twitter by the Government of Assam's Directorate of Information and Public Relations.
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