Celebrating National Press Day in India

Nava Thakuria

(The author is a Guwahati based journalist and media commenter)

As we are celebrating the National Press Day on 16 November, let's pay our heartiest tributes to everyone who contributed for the growth of print media and also its watchdog & mentor, the Press Council of India.

Since its inception and functioning the Press Council continues symbolizing a free and responsible press in the largest democracy of the globe. It should not be an exaggeration if we claim that amidst all press (or media) councils functioning in various countries all over the world, Press Council of India (PCI) emerges as a unique entity that exercises an authority over the media and also safeguards the independence of the press in the populous country.

For records, the PCI was first constituted on 4 July 1966 as an 'autonomous, statutory, quasi-judicial' body, and it started functioning from16 November, 1966 with Justice JR Mudholkar, then a Supreme Court Judge, as its chairman.

Under the Press Council Act 1965, various relevant functions are being authorized for the PCI, like to help newspapers to maintain their independence, to build up a code of conduct for newspapers & journalists in accordance with high professional standards etc. More responsibilities are listed as to ensure on the part of newspapers and journalists, the maintenance of high standards of public taste and foster a due sense of both the rights & responsibilities of citizenship, to encourage the growth of a sense of responsibility and public service among all those engaged in the profession etc. PCI has the role of keeping vigil on developments which may tend towards monopoly or concentration of ownership of newspapers. Providing facilities for the proper training of persons in the profession, promoting a proper functional relationship among all classes of persons engaged in the production or publication of newspapers as well as developing technical and other researches are also put in its card.

Till date, the PCI has been adorned by a galaxy of distinguished personalities including judges, editors, newspaper owners, journalists, media rights activists, litterateurs, educationists, lawyers etc. Justice Mudholkar was followed by Justice N Rajagopala Ayyangar, Justice AN Grover, Justice AN Sen, Justice RS Sarkaria, Justice P B Sawantetc as the PCI chairman. Among the celebrated editors, who were PCI members include Sarvshri Frank Morraes, Akshay Kumar Jain, BG Verghese, Prem Bhatia, Arun Shourie, Kuldip Nayar, Cho Ramaswamy, AN Sivaraman, DharmvirBharati, NK Trikha, VN Narayanan, Ramu Patel, NarlaVenkateswarRao, Nikhil Chakravorty and Mammen Mathew among others.

It was our Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi who articulated the concept of self-regulation in which the press councils or similar bodies were founded and are still functioning. Under the noble concept, the sole aim of journalism should be service to the humanity. As the newspapers possess a great power, it should be controlled from within. Irresponsible exercises of media power would always invite condemnations.

Till the last century, newspapers dominated the media scenario. Even though only 10 to 15 per cent Indian populace can understand and consume English, the first newspaper in the country (The Bengal Gazette) was published in that language on 29 January 1780 by James Augustus Hicky during the British rule. As regional newspapers started hitting the market, Assam had Arunodoi as the first newspaper in North-east India published in 1846. The region today publishes over hundred morning daily newspapers in various languages. Sizable population of the region still depends on newspapers for necessary news contents. For instance, Guwahati supports publication of nearly 30 morning daily newspapers in various languages like Assamese, English, Hindi, Bengali etc.

As a nation, we support over 82,000 registered newspapers with a cumulative daily circulation of 110 million. Fighting with enormous credibility crisis, the Indian newspapers continue growing to make it a Rs 3,20,000 million industry. As we are improving our literacy rate up to 75 percent, more citizens now develop the capacity to read newspapers (even in digital forums). By the end of the century, Indian media scene was encroached by television channels. Today we have over 400 privately owned 'free to air' news channels telecasting news and related contents for almost 24 hours a day. Millions of audiences in India even abroad glue to those channels for newsfeeds. Because of its fastness, lucidity and inherent touch of entertaining elements, more people now watch news channels.

The growth alternate media, as India today supports nearly 400 million smart phone users, has however posed a serious threat to both print and electronic (radio and television) media. Because of its extreme swift, cheap and participatory nature, the social media has turned out to be a giant entry breaking most of the barriers faced by the mainstream media.

But unfortunately, both the news channels and alternate media outlets in India are yet to be taken under the purview of PCI. Voices have been raised in different forums for enhancing and empowering the PCI with the inclusion of news channels and also portals under its ambit. Otherwise, the actual aim and thrust of PCI may dilute some day. Should not we treat it as a wakeup call ! (PIB)