The Press Council Act, 1978

The Press Council Act, 1978, is a pivotal law that establishes the Press Council of India, a body tasked with preserving the freedom of the press and maintaining high standards in journalism. It empowers the Council to address complaints against newspapers, news agencies, and journalists, ensuring ethical conduct and promoting responsible journalism. The Act aims to balance media freedom with accountability.

1: Act Background and ministry under which this act is:

The Press Council Act, 1978, was enacted to establish a Press Council for the purpose of preserving the freedom of the press and maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India. This act falls under the purview of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

2: Enactment date, number of chapters, number of sections:

The Act was enacted on 7th September 1978. It is divided into four chapters and has 27 sections.

3: Act Governed By:

The Act is governed by the Press Council of India (PCI), which is a statutory body established under this Act. The PCI is responsible for overseeing the conduct of newspapers, news agencies, and journalists. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also plays a role in overseeing the implementation of the Act.

4: On Whom it is applicable:

This Act applies to newspapers, news agencies, and journalists in India. It empowers the Press Council of India to regulate the conduct of these entities and to address complaints against them. The Act aims to ensure that the media adheres to high standards of journalistic ethics and public taste.

5: Penalties/Punishments:

The Act does not prescribe penalties in the traditional sense. Instead, it empowers the Press Council of India to:

• Warn, admonish, or censure newspapers, news agencies, or journalists found to have violated journalistic ethics or public taste.

• Disapprove the conduct of editors or journalists.

• Require newspapers to publish particulars relating to inquiries against them.
  These measures aim to ensure accountability and maintain ethical standards within the media.

6: Important Pointers:

• The Act establishes the Press Council of India (PCI) to maintain journalistic standards.

• It empowers the PCI to address complaints against media entities and journalists.

• It aims to preserve the freedom of the press while promoting responsible journalism.

• The PCI can censure or disapprove of the conduct of media entities and journalists.

• It provides a mechanism for resolving disputes within the media industry.

• The Act ensures that media entities adhere to high standards of public taste and ethics.

• It also encourages a sense of responsibility and public service among journalists.

7: Act Copy: