National Press Day 2024

National Press Day 2024:

National Press Day, observed on November 16, marks the day the Press Council of India (PCI) began its operations in 1966.

• Press Council of India was first set up in 1966 by the parliament on the recommendations of the First Press Commission under the chairmanship of Justice J.R Mudholkar.
• The present council functions under the Press Council Act 1978.
• It is a statutory, quasi-judicial bodythat acts as a watchdog of the press in India
• It consists of a Chairman and 28 other members.
• The Chairman is nominated by a committee consisting of Chairman of Rajya Sabha, the Speaker of Lok Sabha, and one representative of the council member.
• The Chairman, by convention, has been a retired judge of the Supreme Court.
• The term of the Chairman and the members of the Council is 3 years.
• Primary Function is to check the media practice and to keep an eye on the freedom of the press.