Press Council of India two-day inquiry committee meeting concludes in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Press Council of India (PCI) held a two-day inquiry committee meeting under the chairmanship of Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad after the council received complaints against media persons and organisation. So far, 37 complaints were lodged with the council, in which 10 were from the Telugu States.

PCI Chairperson Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad speaking to the media here on Thursday said 37 cases were brought before the inquiry committee across the nation, in which five complaints were against media persons of different organisations and the rest were against paper content.

Out of the total complaints received ten complaints were registered from both Telugu States. The PCI has also received complaints about the attacks on journalists from Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

"The inquiry committee of the Press Council of India has concluded its two-day meeting on June 26-27, 2019 under the chairmanship of Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad.

The committee considered 37 cases of violation of Freedom of Press and journalistic ethics. The inquiry committee while adjourning three cases recommended censure in four newspapers for violation of Norms of Journalistic conduct.

It also recommended dismissal/disposal in 30 remaining cases", said an official press release. He also suggested that the media persons consult the Council if they face any obligations in their journalistic career.

He asked the media persons to have confidence upon the council as PCI is to safeguard journalists and journalism values. He advised newspapers and agencies to write to the PCI if they were deprived of getting advertisements for publishing news against government.

"The committee also came across few complaints against paid news; censorship will be implemented on such media organisations. PCI will keep an eye that no media person will be harassed or harmed by anyone," PCI Chairperson added.