(a) the number of newspapers/ magazines being published in the country at present, the details thereof, State and UT-wise/language-wise;
(b) whether the objectionable content is being published in many newspapers/ magazines in the country;
(c) if so, the action taken against such newspapers/magazines and their publishers; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to set up any body for keeping vigil on newspapers/magazines and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING {COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}
(a) Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI), a media unit under Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, is mandated to register and keep the record of all the newspapers and publications thought out the country. During the year 2015-16, 1,10,851 newspapers/magazines were published in the country. The details of these registered publications State/UT-wise and language-wise, is placed at Annexure.
(b) & (c) In case objectionable content is published by newspapers/magazines the Press Council of India (PCI), a body under this Ministry having the statutory power under the Press Council Act, 1978, takes action on the erring newspapers/magazines after receiving complaints from the individual/authority etc., as per the inquiry procedure laid down in Section 14 of above Act. The concerned newspapers/magazines are censured / admonished and warned, as the case may be.
PCI has also framed guidelines compiled in the form of book “Norms of Journalistic Conduct Edition, 2010” for the adherence by the print media.
(d) Press Council of India has already been set up for the purpose as a quasi-judicial statutory organization under an Act of Parliament to preserve the freedom of the press and to maintain and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India. As the watch dog of the print media, it has always laid special emphasis on media responsibility to refrain from publishing anything objectionable/derogatory content.
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