New Delhi27 May: The Press Council of India is a quasi-judicial statutory authority having its Headquarters at Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003. It has no branches or state units nor is any other body with the same or similar name legally constituted and/or authorised to function on behalf of the Press Council of India.
The misuse of its name by a Bhopal-based body calling itself Indian Press Council has come to the notice of the PCI which is reportedly performing functions similar to it and seeking and accepting membership of journalists/press under this name.
Expressing serious concern over the existence of fraudulent bodies carrying nomenclature similar to that of the Press Council of India, the Council has cautioned the Public/Press/Journalists against accepting the membership of the said India Press Council, Bhopal or participating in its activities akin to the statutory function of the PCI. The issue of statutory bar on use of Press Council of India’s name is under the consideration of the Central Government by way of necessary amendment in the Press Council Act, 1978.