National Press Day

India's Press Freedom: Celebrating Credibility or Confronting Constraints?

In 2025, on National Press Day, India’s rank on the World Press Freedom Index edged upward to 151 out of 180 countries—a modest improvement from the alarming 159th position in 2024. Yet, this ranking, paired with a score of 32.96, underscores deeper systemic concerns about media independence, economic sustainability, and the daunting challenge of combating misinformation. The irony is stark: even as the Press Council of India (PCI) celebrates its role as the watchdog of free and ethical journalism, the growing layers of institutional and political pressures appear to undermine its mandate.

At the Heart of the Debate: Press Credibility vs Institutional Constraints

The establishment of the Press Council of India in 1966 was rooted in the First Press Commission’s call for an independent body to safeguard press freedom and uphold ethical standards. Today, PCI operates under the Press Council Act, 1978, adjudicating complaints of ethical violations and enforcing its "Norms of Journalistic Conduct." This year’s theme—safeguarding press credibility amidst rising misinformation—throws into relief the dual burden Indian media bears: maintaining trust while wrestling with shrinking editorial integrity.

Misinformation is no small adversary. With over 700 million internet users, India’s digital media faces an unprecedented challenge to curb fake news, amplified by the sprawling reach of platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook. Yet, amidst these growing concerns, the institutional framework governing Indian media—including the PCI and regulatory reforms like the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023—may be falling short.

Why the Press Council Still Matters

Despite criticism, the PCI's role as an autonomous statutory body remains fundamental in defending press freedom against encroachments. In 2023, it issued guidelines for disaster reporting, a move that reinforced its active role in promoting sensitive, factual journalism during crises. The expansion of publication registrations—from 60,143 in 2004–05 to 1.54 lakh by 2024–25—shows the press’s resilience and reach. Moreover, initiatives such as the Press Sewa Portal, which digitizes processes for registering print publications, signal an alignment with the demands of a modern media landscape.

On National Press Day, the PCI’s annual National Awards for Excellence in Journalism continue to raise the bar for accountability and outstanding work in journalism, with the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award standing as its highest honour. These efforts embody the idea that a regulated press, rather than an overly controlled or entirely unregulated one, is best equipped to navigate the tension between freedom and responsibility.

The Case Against: Falling Trust Amidst Structural Issues

The World Press Freedom Index is an uncomfortable mirror. One of the key concerns undermining India's ranking—economic pressures—is exacerbated by the declining revenues in traditional media and unfair compensation models for digital platforms. Concentration of media ownership further skews perspective, with fewer voices dominating the narrative. Political pressures, including government controls enabled through mechanisms like Section 69A of the IT Act, raise fears of censorship disguised as regulation.

Online harassment and threats to journalists remain another persistent blot. The PCI’s mandate does not extend effectively to the digital realm, leaving platforms like OTT services and social media to operate under a patchwork of policies such as the IT Rules 2021. The absence of a cohesive multi-platform strategy aggravates concerns about accountability and ethical journalism.

Even the institutional framework meant to support journalists is uneven—while the Journalist Welfare Scheme provides financial assistance, its outreach and scale remain insufficient amid widespread precarity in the profession. This is bureaucratic underreach, and it feeds into the growing mistrust between journalists and governance structures.

A Comparative Lens: The United Kingdom's Approach

The United Kingdom offers an instructive contrast. Regulatory oversight there includes the independent Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), established in 2014, which operates on voluntary membership but enforces standards against ethical violations with binding rulings. Together with the BBC’s regulated public funding model, the UK has managed to maintain a critical balance between press freedom and public accountability.

India, however, does not have comparable frameworks for public interest journalism funding or voluntary regulatory mechanisms outside government control. While IPSO’s model reinforces press credibility without coercion, India’s regulatory approach tilts towards procedural rigidity coupled with limited institutional autonomy.

Where Should India Draw the Line?

India’s celebration of National Press Day cannot obscure the critical need to reassess institutional effectiveness and regulatory constraints. While the PCI must adapt both to digital challenges and the evolving needs of journalists, solutions cannot revolve solely around stringent controls; independence is paramount. The real risk is that unchecked regulation, coupled with economic stress, continues to erode media integrity rather than restoring it.

India’s press framework ultimately needs systemic recalibration—starting with stronger safeguards for media independence, a more cohesive approach to regulating digital content, and sustainable economic support mechanisms like fair compensation models. This is not just about the press; it’s about democracy itself.

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