Regulatory body for electronic media needed: PCI

Hyderabad, Sep 21 (UNI) Press Council of India (PCI) chairman G N Ray today underscored the need for a separate regulatory body for the electronic media on the lines of the PCI.

Addresing the press here, Mr Ray said since the Press Council Act, 1978 did not contain any provision for regulation of electronic media, the PCI had suggested to the Centre to set up a body for the purpose.

He said the National Press Day will be observed by the PCI in Delhi on November 16 and President A P J Abdul Kalam will inaugurate the function.

On November 15, an Exhibition on Photo Journalism would be organised. It was likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he added.

Set up in 1966, on the recommendations of the First Press Commission, the PCI has been performing a multi-faceted role of preserving the freedom of the press maintaining and improving its standards.

It acts as a quasi judicial authority with all powers of the civil court. In its advisory capacity, the body guides the press as well as the authorities on any matter having a bearing on the freedom of the press.

The body remaines completely uninfluenced by any extraneous considerations in discharge of its functions.

Mr Ray said in its advisory role, the Council's opinion had been regularly sought by various instrumentalities of the state on legislative measures either in force or proposed to be introduced.

He said the council had also suo motu initiated studies on various matters that had a bearing on the freedom of the press or its standards.

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