Delhi HC Issues Notice on Plea for Constitution of 15th Press Council
The Delhi High Court has recently issued notice to the Press Council of India (PCI) and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting while hearing a plea seeking the constitution of the 15th Press Council.
Filed by the Mumbai Press Club, the plea seeks a direction to the Chairperson of the Press Council of India for the immediate constitution of the 15th Press Council.
A bench led by Justice Sachin Datta heard the matter and sought a response from the Press Council of India (PCI) and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting within four weeks.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee and Advocate T. Singhdev appeared for the Press Council of India.
The plea before the High Court has contended that the tenure of the 14th Press Council ended on October 8, 2024. However, even after eight months, the new council has not yet been constituted.
Although the nomination process began on June 9, 2024, the plea states that it has not yet concluded due to administrative or procedural delays.
It is to be noted that PCI is a statutory and quasi-judicial body responsible for maintaining ethical journalism and handling complaints against the press.
The composition of the council includes a chairperson, who is typically a retired Supreme Court judge, and 28 members, out of whom 20 are elected from journalists, editors, and owners, and the other 8 are nominated, including 5 MPs and 3 experts.
The matter will next be heard on July 10, 2025.