AThe Wage Board
BThe Press Council of India
CThe Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
DThe News Broadcasting Standards Authority
Answer:
B. The Press Council of India
Read Explanation:
The Press Council of India (PCI)
Nature: The Press Council of India is a statutory and quasi-judicial body that acts as a watchdog of the press.
Establishment: It was first established in 1966 based on the recommendations of the First Press Commission.
Legal Basis: The current body operates under the Press Council Act, 1978.
Objective: Its primary mandate is to preserve the freedom of the press and maintain and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India.
Quasi-Judicial Role: The PCI has the power to hold inquiries into complaints regarding the violation of professional ethics or acts of professional misconduct by journalists or newspapers.
Autonomy: While it is a statutory body, it functions independently and does not have the power to impose legal penalties such as fines or imprisonment. Its primary tool is the power to admonish, warn, or censure newspapers, editors, and journalists.
Structure: The Council consists of a Chairman and 28 other members.
Chairman Appointment: Traditionally, the Chairman is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India. The selection committee includes the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and one member elected by the Council members.
Representation: Members are drawn from various sectors, including working journalists, editors, owners of newspapers, and members of Parliament.
Nodal Ministry: The Council functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Headquarters: The organization is headquartered in New Delhi.