National Press Day

Tags: Important Days

National Press Day is observed every year on 16 November to commemorate a free and responsible press.

Important facts

• National Press Day draws our attention to the freedom and responsibilities of the press.

• With the aim of establishing high ideals in journalism in India, the First Press Commission had envisioned a Press Council. Thereafter, on July 4, 1966, the Press Council was established.

• This council started its formal work from 16 November 1966. Keeping this date in mind, National Press Day started.

• In India, the press has been called 'watchdog' and the Press Council of India has been called 'moral watchdog'.

• Since the year 1997, the Council has celebrated the day in a significant manner through seminars with relevant themes.

• Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur presided over the National Press Day function in New Delhi.

• Article 19 of the Constitution of India provides for the right to freedom of speech and expression.

• India ranks 150th position among 180 countries in World Press Freedom Index 2022.

Press Council of India

• It is a statutory body created by the Press Council Act, 1978. 

• The objective of the Press Council of India is to maintain and improve the freedom of the press and the standards of the press in India.

• It has a Chairman and there will be 28 members.

• Chairperson, Press Council of India - Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai