Press Council of India member resigns citing institution's failure to protect journalists

B.R Gupta, journalist and Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Banaras Hindu University, resigned as a member of the Press Council of India (PCI) today. In his letter, Gupta cited the PCI’s failure to protect journalists as the reason for his resignation.

The body was formed in 1966 on the recommendations of the First Press Commission with the object of preserving the freedom of the press and of maintaining and improving the standards of press in India. While its main function is that of a watchdog, it also adjudicates complaints against and by the press for violation of ethics and freedom.While speaking to Newslaundry of his resignation, Dr Gupta said, “I have proved myself unworthy of helping the media.” Stressing on the prerogative of the PCI to maintain press freedom and high-quality journalism, he said the PCI has failed to perform its role actively at a time when the media needs it the most. “Print particularly is in a great crisis,” he added.

“There may be some constraint.” He said while the PCI should look out for the media as a whole, it now seems to be representing only a section of media in the country.