The Press Council of India has been called a 'toothless tiger.' Critically evaluate its mandate and suggest reforms for a converged media ecosystem.

The Press Council of India (PCI) is a statutory body corporate set up under the Press Council Act, 1978. Its job is to preserve press freedom and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies [1]. Its mandate is sound, but weak sanctions and a print-only scope largely justify the "toothless" label.

Strengths of the mandate

• Insulated, peer-led body: a Chairman and 28 members, including 13 working journalists. The Chairman is chosen by the Rajya Sabha Chairman, the Lok Sabha Speaker and a Council-elected member, not by the executive [1].
• Two-way role: it censures the press for ethical lapses (Sec. 14) and hears the press's complaints against authorities (Sec. 15) [1].
• Suo motu action: e.g., it took cognizance of an assault on a journalist in Firozabad, UP (2025) [2].
• Norm-setting: Sec. 13 tasks it with building codes of conduct for newspapers and journalists [1].

Why "toothless"

• Only moral sanctions: it can warn, admonish or censure. It cannot impose fines or enforce compliance [1].
• Only remarks against the state: it can make "observations" on government conduct but cannot direct the police to release a detained reporter [1].
• Print-era scope: TV, news portals and freelance digital journalists fall outside it [1].
• Sub judice bar: it cannot inquire into matters pending before courts [1].
• Stalled reform: the PCI's proposals to withdraw government ads and suspend registration or accreditation remain pending. The Government cites the need for wide stakeholder consultation [3].

Reforms for a converged ecosystem

• A single Media Council: one statutory body covering print, broadcast and digital news.
• Graded penalties: fines and mandatory corrections instead of ad-withdrawal, which could become a lever of state pressure [3].
• Binding directions to authorities: time-bound reports and directions when journalists are attacked or obstructed [2].
• Functional definition of a journalist: voluntary recognition based on the work a person does, not on who employs them, with a right to appeal. Freelancers and camerapersons should get seats on the council.
• Preserve independence: carry forward the Speaker-led selection model [1].

The PCI is a sound institution held back by weak powers and a narrow scope. A converged, independent Media Council with calibrated powers, both to discipline the press and to protect it, would give real effect to Article 19(1)(a). It would sharpen the tiger's teeth without turning them on the press.