May 9, 2012

Legal Remedies (7) How to file a complaint against print media? It is not difficult.

If any time you want to complain against any Print Media, here are some tips.

When you can think about filing complaint?


If you see any news, cartoon,pictures, photographs, strips or advertisement which hurts your feelings, you may check whether it falls within any of the Norms Of Journalistic Conduct prescribed on Website. If it violates such norms, you can complain.

For example: Clause (3) ( XV) relating to Public Interest and Public Bodies; is as under:

"Newspapers should refrain from barbed, stinging and pungent language and ironical/satirical  style of comment."

Who can file complaint?

Anyone.     

What to do first?

First write to Editor of Newspaper, weekly etc. In your notice say that particular item has violated norms prescribed by Press Council of India. Ask why you should not file complaint with Press Council of India?

Await its reply for few days.

Then send complaint to Press Council of  India, along with copy of previous notice sent by you to editor. If Editor has replied, enclose copy of reply also.

Within what time complaint is to be filed.

(i) Dailies, News agencies and Weeklies  … within 2 months 
(ii) In all other cases                                      within 4 months 

Address of Press Council of India

The Secretary, Press Council of India, Soochna Bhavan, 8-C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 

Emails : pcibpp@gmail.com, pcimeetings@gmail.com,pcibppcomplaint@gmail.com,    pcibpplevy @gmail.com ,  pcibpplib @gmail.com, pcibppeditorial @gmail.com,pcibppaccount @gmail.com, pcibpphindi@gmail.com, pcibppadmin@gmail.com, pcibppds @gmail.com

For more details, when you really want to file complaint, you can go to website of Press Council of India and check it out.

Haresh Raichura
8th May,2012