10.3. Powers

♤ The PCI has the power to receive complaints of violation of the journalistic ethics, or professional misconduct by an editor or journalist.

♤ The PCI is responsible for enquiring in to complaints received. It may summon witnesses and take evidence under oath, demand copies of public records to be submitted, even issue warnings and admonish the newspaper, news agency, editor or journalist.

♤ The Council is also empowered to make such observations as it may deem fit in respect of the conduct of any authority, including Government, for interfering with the freedom of the press.

♤ It can even require any newspaper to publish details of the inquiry. Decisions of the PCI are final and cannot be appealed before a court of law.

♤ The Council has been entrusted by the Parliament with the additional responsibility of functioning as Appellate Authority under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 and the Appellate Board comprises of the Chairman of the Council and a member of the Council. The Board meets regularly and decides the Appeals placed before it.

The Council has rendered its opinion on the references received from Law Commission regarding astrology advertisement. Election Commission of India has also approached the Council for providing some concrete parameters to adjudge Paid News.