Srinagar, Feb 28: The Press Council Act, 1978 was enacted with the twin objectives of preserving the freedom of the press and maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India.
The Secretariat of the Press Council of India is located at Soochna Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. It has neither any State branch nor has it authorized or constituted any other body with the same or a similar name to function on its behalf.
It has come to notice that some press organizations are using the term ‘Press Council’ in their name. Such unauthorized usage not only erodes the institutional value of the Press Council of India but also infringes upon its unique domain and title.
The Department of Legal Affairs has opined that the use of the term ‘Press Council’ by any other organization, without the permission of the Central Government, is in violation of Section 3 read with Entry 7(ii) of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.
All concerned are advised to refrain from the unauthorized use of the term ‘Press Council’ to avoid legal consequences.