NEW DELHI: The National Press Day is an Indian professional holiday celebrated on November 16 every year. Its main task is to emphasise the importance of free and responsible press in a democratic society.
The National Press Day was initiated by the Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory body responsible for governing the conduct of the print media and ensuring that the freedom of speech is maintained. The Press Council was established on July 4, 1966 by the Parliament and officially started working on November 16 of the same year. The anniversary of the latter event was proclaimed National Press Day.
National Press Day was created to raise public awareness of the role of a free, pluralistic and independent news media in the development of the democratic society. On the occasion of the holiday, the Press Council organises various seminars and other events and activities dedicated to the most important issues of modern journalism.
IJU urges its State units and others to observe November 16 as National Press Day for a free and responsible media in the country.
B.R. Prajapati, President & G. Prabhakaran, Secretary General, IJU, New Delhi, November 15, 2020.