National Press Day is annually observed across India on 16th November to commemorate the day on which the Press Council of India(PCI) started its function as the moral watchdog to ensure that press maintains the high standards and is not fettered by any form of influence or threats.
- The day is observed as the symbol of an independent and responsible press in India.
- The day also aims to highlight its importance as the 4th pillar of democracy(Media).
The theme of National Press Day 2022 is “The Media’s Role is Nation Building”.
Background:
i.The 1st Press Commission held in 1954 concluded that a statutory authority body with people connected with the industry should be created to maintain professional ethics in journalism.
ii.Following this, the Press Council of India(PCI) was established on 4th July 1966 under the Press Council Act of 1978. PCI started its functions on 16th November 1966.
- Justice Janardan Raghunath Mudholkar (JR Mudholkar)was appointed as the 1st chairman of PCI. He served as the Judge of SCI from 1960 to 1966.
Events:
i.As a part of the observance of the National Press Day function 2022, the updated edition of the Norms pertaining to ethical journalism by the press titled “Norms of Journalistic Conduct, 2022” was released.
ii.The National Press Day function 2022 was held at SCOPE Convention Centre, SCOPE Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, Delhi.
Key People:
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Singh Thakur, and Minister of State(MoS), L Murugan participated in the event as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.
- Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, Chairperson of PCI presided over the function and Eminent Journalist, Swapan Dasgupta delivered the keynote lecture.
World Press Freedom Index 2022:
According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF)’s 20th World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) 2022, India is ranked 150th with a score of 41.
- Norway tops the ranking with a score of 92.65 followed by Denmark and Sweden. North Korea remained at the bottom of the list(180th Rank).
About Press Council of India(PCI):
i.The Press Council of India was first set up in the year 1966 by the Parliament on the recommendations of the First Press Commission.
ii.PCI is a statutory, quasi-judicial authority functioning as a watchdog of the press, for the press and by the press.
Chairman– Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai,
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
