Report No. 24
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Press Information Bureau
Date of appointment |
Duration of Commission |
Matter for which appointed |
Remarks |
| 3-10-1952 (The Press Commission | Upto 31-7-1954 | The Press Commission was appointed to enquire into the state of the Press in India, its present and future lines of development and in particular to examine:- (i) the control, management and ownership and financial structure of newspapers, large and small, the periodical press and news agencies and feature syndicates; (ii) the working of monopolies and chains and their effect on the presentation of accurate news and fair views; (iii) the effect of holding companies, the distribution of advertisements and such other forms of external influence as may have a bearing on the development of healthy journalism; (iv) the method of recruitment, training, scales of remuneration, benefits and other conditions of employment of working journalists, settlement of disputes affecting them and factors which influence the establishment and maintenance of high professional standards; (v) the adequacy of newsprint supplies and their distribution among all classes of newspapers and the possibilities of promoting indigenous manufacture of (i) newsprint; (ii) printing and composing machinery and (iii) machinery for (a) ensuring high standards of journalism and (b) liaison between Government and the Press; the functioning of Press Advisory Committees and organisations of editors and working journalists, etc.; (vi) freedom of the Press and repeal or amendment of laws not in consonance with it; and to make recommendations thereon. |
As regards the action taken on the Commission's Report, a Statement was laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on 30-5-1957 indicating action taken on the main recommendations of the Press Commission. (As the statement is very lengthy, it is not reproduced here). Some of the recommendations were accepted. The Newspaper (Price and Page) Act, 1956, was enacted to reduce differences due to economic advantages, etc. The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 was amended to provide for the appointment of the Press Registrar and other matters. Rates for telegraphs for news agency messages were revised. Further with a view to extending the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act to working journalists, the Working Journalists (Conditions of Service and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1955, was enacted. Section 198B was introduced in the Criminal Procedure Code (relating to defamation of public servants). The Press (Objectionable Matter) Act, 1951, was allowed to lapse. Certain recommendations were brought to the notice of the State Governments, and the recommendations relating to privileges and contempt of Legislature were brought to the notice of the various Legislatures. Certain recommendations were not accepted. |
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