Context

Recently, on 16th November, National Press Day was celebrated, commemorating the establishment of the Press Council of India (PCI) in 1966.

About National Press Day

The day is celebrated on the foundation day (16th November) of the Press Council of India as it was established to safeguard press freedom in India and also uphold the very essence of democracy.

National Press Day provides a forum for acknowledging the press’s accomplishments and discussing its difficulties.

It emphasizes the importance of ethical journalism and the media's responsibility to defend a country’s democratic values.

To celebrate National Press Day, the Press Council of India arranges various seminars and workshops on topics like the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the role of media in educating people about the fundamental duties and proper measures in the time of crisis.

The PCI also tries to educate people about the significance of free and just media in a democratic nation.

History of the press in India

Before independence:

Censorship of Press Act 1799	By: Lord Wellesley Why: To prevent French invasion of India About: Pre-censorship of newspapers that were akin to those of war
Licensing Regulations 1823	By: John Adams Why: To curb the speedy establishment of press About: It became illegal to start or operate a press without a license
Press Act or Metcalfe Act 1835	By: Metcalfe Why: To overturn the 1823 Act and liberate the press About: The printer or publisher had to inform about the location of the publication and discontinue operations if so requested.
Licensing Act 1857	By: Lord Canning Why: 1857 revolt About: License required even for registration of Press
Vernacular Press Act	By: Lord Lytton Why: To suppress seditious writing About: Publisher/printer to sign a bond without the right to appeal to not incite hatred among the public.
Newspaper (Incitement to Offences) Act 1908	By: Lord Curzon Why: To combat nationalist activities About: Press assets could be seized if anything is written that can incite violence.
Indian Press (Emergency Powers) Act 1931	By: Indian legislature Why: to curb the Civil Disobedience Movement’s propaganda About: Provincial governments could suppress the propaganda

After independence:

Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution	Right to free speech and expression.
Press Enquiry Committee 1947	To check press laws in relation to fundamental rights.
Press (Objectionable Matters) Act of 1951	Security deposit for publishing “objectionable matter”.
Press Commission 1954	Recommended the formation of the All India Press Council.
Other acts	Delivering of Books and Newspapers Act (1954) The Working Journalists Act (1955) The Newspaper (Price and Page) Act (1956) The Parliamentary Proceedings (Protection of Publications) Act (1960)

Evolving challenges faced by the media

The Union Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav has highlighted four key challenges faced by the media in the present time. These challenges are:

Disinformation and fake news are two of the biggest challenges, and they are breaking the trust of citizens.
Financial challenges faced by the traditional media houses due to a major shift towards digital media.
Biased algorithms on digital media platforms.
Artificial Intelligence is training models using the works of original creators which poses the risk of Intellectual Property Rights infringement.

Read about the Press Council of India (PCI) : https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/press-council-of-india

Source

CNBCTV

Practice Question

Q:Discuss the role of the Press Council of India in upholding democracy in India. Also highlight the challenges faced by the media. (15 marks)

NATIONAL PRESS DAY