The present Press Council of India (PCI) held its last meeting here today under the Chairmanship of Justice C K Prasad. The three year term of the present Council Members also ended today.
During its three year term the Council received complaints against the Press as well as by the Press. The Council adjudicated 584 cases during this term while many cases were dismissed at the preliminary stage for want of fulfillment of mandatory requirements. In cases of serious violation of Journalistic conduct by newspapers, the Council Censured them and also simultaneously advised and issued directions to the Governments concerned in cases where requirements of Press and safety of journalists were involved.
During this term the Council inter-alia adopted a number of Reports such as reports relating to incidents of attack/killing of journalists, misleading of advertisements, issues of advertisements and accreditation in various States, monitoring committee on paid news etc. It is also proposed amendments in DAVP advertisement policy, besides proposing amendments in the recent Maharashtra journalists, media persons and news-based electronic media houses or news stations or newspaper establishments (Prevention of Violence Against Attack and Damage or Loss of Property) Act 2015.
In its last sitting in Srinagar today, the Council adjudicated 17 complaints filed by the Press and 27 cases against the Press and inter-alia adopted the Report of the Sub-Committee to examine the Report of Interlocutors on Media and Media Scenario in Jammu & Kashmir. It appreciated the decision of J&K Government for forming a Media Advisory Committee (MAC) following the recommendations of the PCI