'India's Press council could be a model for Malaysia'

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K. Jayachandra Reddy, who is the PCI chairman, said Malaysia and India
had similarities due to the existence of different races, religions,
languages and cultures among the people. "The PCI has functioned quite
well in such an environment, and Malaysia could look to India if such an
organisation is to be established here," he said in an interview. Reddy,
who is also chairman of the World Association of Press Councils Press
Freedom and Media Ethics Committee, is here to help raise awareness of
the importance of such a council.

The PCI, set up in 1966, is a statutory quasi-judicial body created by an
Act of Parliament and two-thirds of its 28 members are from the print
media. "The composition of journalists, editors and newspaper owners
itself shows that it is by and for the Press," he said, adding that the
PCI was a regulatory authority to monitor the media. He said the PCI
drafted certain principles from time to time and it acted as a guide.
"The norms published give direction to members." He said between April
2001 and March last year, the PCI received 1,250 complaints from and
against the Press, and most were adjudicated and disposed of. The
objective of a council was to keep the public informed, be objective and
provide fair criticism. "The role of journalists is to disseminate
information and thereby guide and educate the public on fundamental
issues." Reddy said it would not be wrong for such a council to support
new government policies and legislations if they would benefit the
people. He said it was pertinent for journalists to be aware at all times
that media freedom came with responsibility and accountability.

Source:
http://www.emedia.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/National/20030902075623/Ar
ticle/