New Delhi || 16-11-2024 The Press Council of India today organized the National Press Day celebrations at National Media Centre, New Delhi, to mark the National Press Day 2024.
The event was graced by the presence of Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Railways, and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, Chairperson of the Press Council of India, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and veteran journalist, Kundan Ramanlal Vyas.
While addressing the gathering Minister Vaishnaw highlighted India’s vibrant and diverse media ecosystem, which includes 35,000 registered newspapers, numerous news channels, and a robust digital infrastructure. The Minister noted that investments in 4G and 5G networks have propelled India to the forefront of digital connectivity with the lowest data prices globally.
Ashwini Vaishnaw pointed out that our society is facing four key challenges due to changing landscape of media and press, they are
(a) Fake News and Misinformation
(b) Fair Compensation for Content Creators
(c) Algorithmic Bias
(d) Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Intellectual Property Rights
I & B Minister Vaishnaw urged stakeholders to engage in open debates and collaborative efforts to address these challenges, transcending political differences. He emphasized the importance of preserving the media’s role as a strong pillar of democracy and building a harmonious and prosperous Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Highlighting the evolution of journalism Dr. Murugan noted the speed at which news reaches the public today. However, he emphasized the growing challenge of fake news, which he described as spreading “faster than a virus.” He further cautioned that fake news, threatens national integrity, undermines the military, and challenges Indian sovereignty.
Acknowledging the role of smartphones in transforming every individual into a potential content creator, Dr. Murugan stressed the need for greater responsibility and regulation in combating misinformation. He reaffirmed that while freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed by the Constitution, it must be exercised with accuracy and ethical responsibility.
Dr. Murugan applauded the government’s efforts under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, including the establishment of a Fact Check Unit within the Press Information Bureau (PIB) to authenticate news and counter false narratives.
Secretary of I&B Ministry Sanjay Jaju called for collective efforts to build a fair, transparent, and sustainable press ecosystem that upholds journalism as a beacon of truth, a platform for diverse voices, and a catalyst for positive change in society.
During her address, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai highlighted that wider availability of digital platforms and the consistent use of spiritual media, blogs, and podcasts have greatly expanded access to news and information. This has not just made life easier but also brought challenges with it and it is in this regard that accurate news must reach us in a timely manner.
The Press Council of India was established and evolved since November 16, 1966. Therefore November 16 personifies a responsible and free press in the country. All those who cherish it, commemorate the day.
