PCI chief for regulatory body for electronic media

Kozhikode, Sep 20 (UNI) Press Council of India (PCI) Chairman Justice G N Ray today underlined the need for a regulatory body for the electronic media in the country to usher greater accountability in the field.

Addressing a meet-the-press programme organised by the Calicut Press Club here, he said the PCI could be transformed into a 'media council' by bringing the electronic media into its ambit.

Alternatively, a separate body, comprising experts from the field, could be constituted for greater accountability, he said.

This was necessary as the electronic media was not governed by any statutory body, as it did not exist when the PCI was formed 42 years ago.

However, the government seemed to be least interested in such a move as it wanted to have a direct control over electronic media, he alleged.

Calling for similar rules and regulations for both electronic and print media, he said basic ethics of journalism were same in both the media.

Mr Justice Ray also stressed on the need for constitution of a Press Commission, comprising experts from the field, to undertake in-depth study on media-related issues.

UNI PCH SJ RR KN2032