JALUKBARI, Dec 10 - The Chairman of the Press Council of India (PCI), Justice CK Prasad today refuted charges that the PCI was a �toothless tiger,� but agreed that with more powers, it could become much more effective.
The PCI Chairman was responding to queries from students during an interaction at the Gauhati University (GU) this afternoon. The interactive session was organised by the Department of Communication and Journalism, GU, in association with the Journalists Union of Assam (JUA).
The judiciary and the fourth estate were still the two most respected pillars of democracy in India, Justice Prasad pointed out while fielding another question from the students.
Regarding the need for a Media Council to bring the visual media under some regulations, he affirmed that the PCI as a body welcomes any move to constitute such a council.
In response to a plea for holding refresher courses for students and budding journalists, Justice Prasad assured full support from the PCI and urged the GU authorities to take the initiative.
Apart from the Chairman, 10 Press Council members actively participated in the session, which was attended by GU Rector Prof HP Sarma. Earlier, the head of the GU Department of Communication and Journalism, Chandan Kumar Goswami welcomed the gathering.
Indian Journalists Union president SN Sinha also attended the session and informed the gathering that a National Media University is being mooted to upgrade journalistic studies.
Later, the PCI chairman and members visited the Samadhikshetra of Dr Bhupen Hazarika.
