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The National Media Council Proposal: Recognition of Journalists and the Press-Freedom Debate

Mains analysis | Media, governance and freedom of expression | News context: op-ed, 26 October 2026 | Publication: 27 October 2026
Round table, microphone, camera, newspaper and the scales of justice - original symbolic image
Original symbolic image: pcsmantra.com

Why in the News

In an op-ed published in The Hindu on 26 October 2026, Rakesh Goswami, Professor of Journalism at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, has suggested creating a National Media Council or Commission. His argument is that just as there is the Bar Council of India for lawyers and the ICAI for chartered accountants, this council could give recognition to all working journalists, freelance journalists, camerapersons and technicians. This is one writer's proposal, not the government's announced policy.

Background

  • 10 October 2026: On the day of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest, several journalists were detained in Delhi. The Quint reported that many journalists were detained despite showing press cards; AP's report records photographs of journalists of the independent news platform Molitics and journalists' allegations about press freedom. These are allegations by journalists and organisations; the police side is limited in these reports.
  • Supreme Court hearing (15 October 2026): According to LiveLaw, a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, on petitions related to the Delhi protest, that there can be different classes of journalists and some may need additional protection. Justice Bagchi said the court is not deciding the question of "who is a journalist" and that it needs a very detailed examination. The Chief Justice said that if everyone starts calling themselves a journalist, problems will arise. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that many people carrying a mic call themselves freelance journalists and it is difficult to distinguish between reel-makers and freelance journalists. These are oral observations, not a final decision.
  • The existing system of recognition (according to the op-ed): the central and state governments give accreditation to journalists. In Delhi-NCR, the PIB gives accreditation for the central government and the Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP) for the Delhi state government. According to the op-ed, the accreditation quota is decided on bases such as circulation (newspapers), subscribers (news agencies), licences (private satellite channels) and unique visitors (digital publishers), so not all journalists of accredited media institutions get accreditation.
  • Definition in labour law: according to PIB, the four labour codes were made effective from 21 November 2025. According to PIB (22 November 2025), the OSH Code 2020 expands the definition of a working journalist to include journalists of electronic and digital media. This definition is for employment-related protection, not a system of professional recognition of journalists.

The proposal's main points (according to the op-ed)

  • A National Media Council or Commission should give recognition to all working journalists, freelancers, camerapersons and technicians.
  • The writer suggests that the council could make a degree or diploma in journalism and mass communication mandatory for a licence.
  • The op-ed says that the Press Club of India had prepared a draft Media Transparency (and Accountability) Bill some years ago, which had a provision for forming a National Media Council, and some other journalists' organisations have also given memoranda to the government. This claim has not been independently verified here.

Analysis

  • Arguments in favour: a uniform recognition can give identity to freelance and digital journalists and can make their position clear in a clash with the police or administration. A shared framework of professional standards and a code of conduct can be built.
  • Concerns: a mandatory licence or degree condition can become an unreasonable restriction on freedom of expression (Article 19(1)(a)). The question also remains of who will decide who is a journalist and how much government influence there will be on the council. The Supreme Court too has said that this question demands a detailed examination.
  • The question of balance: recognition and a licence are different things. Recognition can bring facilities and protection, while making a licence mandatory becomes a condition for entering the profession. This difference is the centre of this debate.

Mains Practice Question

"Evaluate the proposal for a National Media Council. Can a unified system of recognising journalists strengthen both press freedom and accountability?" (GS-II, 250 words)

Answer Outline

Introduction: refer to the detention of journalists in the 10 October protest and the Supreme Court hearing on "who is a journalist".

Main Body: write the proposal (recognition on the lines of the BCI and ICAI), the limits of the existing PIB/DIP accreditation, the arguments in favour (identity, standards) and the concerns (licence condition, Article 19(1)(a), government influence), and the difference between recognition and a licence.

Conclusion: say that consensus can be built on an inclusive system of recognition, but a mandate like a licence needs independent oversight and wide consultation.

From the exam's point of view

Mains (GS-II): freedom of the press, Article 19(1)(a), regulatory bodies, transparency in governance. Prelims: the effective date of the labour codes (21 November 2025).

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