The Role of Press Commissions in Shaping Media Policies in Post-Independence India
Author : Sarvajith Kumar JN
Abstract :
This research paper examines the role of Press Commissions in shaping media policies in post-independence India. It traces the evolution of these commissions, from the First Press Commission (1952-1954) to the Second Press Commission (1978-1982), and their impact on the Indian media landscape. The study analyzes key recommendations made by these commissions and the resulting policies, focusing on the establishment of the Press Council of India, regulations on media ownership, working conditions for journalists, and the balance between press freedom and government control. The paper also explores the implementation challenges faced by these recommendations and their relevance in the current digital media ecosystem. Through a case study of the Working Journalists Act of 1955, the research illustrates the concrete impact of Press Commissions on media policy. The study concludes by discussing the evolving role of Press Commissions in addressing the challenges posed by digital media and the future outlook for media policy-making in India. While acknowledging the limitations of the traditional commission structure in the rapidly changing media environment, the paper argues that the principles established by these commissions continue to inform contemporary debates on media regulation, ethics, and freedom in India.
Keywords :
Media regulation, media ownership, press council of India, first press commission, second press commission
