Section 14 of PCI : Section 14: Power To Censure

Explanation using Example

Imagine a scenario where a newspaper publishes an article with unverified facts and sensational content that is deemed offensive to public taste and journalistic ethics. A group of concerned citizens files a complaint with the Press Council, believing that the article has tarnished the community's image and caused unnecessary panic.

The Press Council, after reviewing the complaint, decides that there is enough reason to believe that the newspaper has indeed breached the standards of journalistic ethics. They notify the newspaper and the journalist involved, offering them an opportunity to present their side of the story.

After conducting an inquiry following the regulations, the Council concludes that the newspaper and the journalist should be censured for their professional misconduct. They record their reasons in writing and direct the newspaper to publish a detailed account of the inquiry's findings and the censure, ensuring that the public is informed of the breach in journalistic standards.

Throughout this process, the Press Council ensures that their inquiry does not overlap with any ongoing legal proceedings related to the matter and that their final decision, in this case, remains conclusive and unquestionable in a court of law.