By IANS,
New Delhi: The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) Thursday opposed what it called a unilateral move by Press Council of India chairman Markandey Katju to release a resolution that allegedly seeks to bring the electronic media under the PCI’s purview.
According to the NBA, Katju released a resolution purportedly passed by the Press Council Aug 27 to initiate suitable legislation to amend the Press Council Act by bringing the electronic media, including both broadcast and social media, within the purview of the Press Council Act and renaming it as The Media Council.
The NBA said it was “surprised and extremely disappointed” at this step.
“The NBA strongly opposes this move which seeks to negate the self regulatory mechanism that has been in force for several years and has had a very real and positive impact in improving broadcasting standards,” it said.
The broadcasters’ body urged the PCI chairman to “engage himself constructively with print media matters, which is the mandate he has under the Press Council Act and not to exceed his remit on commenting upon areas which are outside his jurisdiction”.