Kalahandi DI&PRO warns against unauthorised use of ‘Press Council of India’ name

By Sudharam Sarap

Bhawanipatna, May 30: In a bid to safeguard the credibility and authority of the country’s premier media regulatory body, the Press Council of India (PCI), the District Information and Public Relations Officer (DI&PRO) of Kalahandi, Haladhar Nial, has issued a stern warning against the unauthorised and illegitimate use of the Council’s name, logo, or symbol.

It has come to the notice of authorities that some vested interest groups and individuals have been misusing the term “Press Council” or “Bharatiya Press Parishad” to claim undue privileges under the guise of media representation. Acting on directives from the central government, which is actively working to curb such malpractices, local information offices have been asked to remain vigilant and take corrective measures within their jurisdictions.

In an official notice, Nial categorically stated that the Press Council of India is the only statutory body established by the Government of India to regulate and uphold the standards of the press. It operates solely from its headquarters in New Delhi, with no branch or subordinate offices anywhere else in the country. “Use of the name ‘Press Council’, ‘Bharatiya Press Parishad’, PCI’s logo or emblem by any unauthorised person or organisation is a punishable offence,” he clarified.

The DI&PRO has appealed to the public and media professionals to stay away from such illegitimate practices and report any instances of misuse to the concerned authorities. The move is aimed at preserving the integrity of genuine media practitioners while discouraging fraudulent activities operating under the guise of press representation.