Press Council moves condemned

The ICR noted with concern that the PCI had set up a committee to study the management and ownership structure of newspapers, which 8220;is clearly outside the purview of its powers and responsibilities.8221; The report added that 8220;deciding the nature and structure is implicit in the freedom of the citizens whose proprietorial rights arelegally guaranteed and the relationship between the editor and the proprietor is a self-defining one, regulated by its own demands and conventions. Any attempt by the PCI to lay down rules in these areas can only be viewed as a threat to press freedom.8221;

In a related development, reports PTI, Justice Sawant today took strong objection to the IPI making 8220;peremptory verdicts8221; on the council8217;s powers and mandate on the basis of 8220;misinformation8221;.

Replying to the IPI statement urging the PCI, 8220;to refrain from interfering in matters that should be determined by the market and the law of the land,8221; the PCI chairman said, 8220;We have not reached a stage where we have to learn the law of our land and the mandate of the Press Council Act from others.8221;