Celebrated every year on 16th November as a mark to commemorate the presence of an independent and responsible press in India, National Press Day also marks the establishment of Press Council of India as well as a day it started operating as a statutory and quasi-judicial establishment.

Press Council of India acts as a moral watchdog for the Indian press. It ensures that the credibility of journalism remains intact in India.

The duty of PCI is to regulate, check and monitor all journalistic activities in the country.

Since the press is considered the fourth pillar of democracy, it is a truism that press and media has a very big responsibility in helping India evolve as a vibrant and egalitarian democracy. Journalists and members of the press act as a mirror to the society. They bring out the truth with no fear or favour for or against any governmental agency or private entity.

History of the National Press Day
National Press Day is celebrated in India as a day to commemorate the establishment of the Press Council of India (PCI). Proposal to set up Press Council of India (PCI) was put first in 1956 at a Press Commission’s meeting where PCI was envisioned as an independent watchdog of the press. Following several discussions, PCI came into being on November 16, 1966. Since then, PCI has been working as an agency to monitor quality of reportage provided by Indian Press.

Theme of national press day
Theme for National Press Day 2021 is ‘Who is Not Afraid of Media?’