A Few Words
About Us
Welcome
A Few Words About Us
The Press Council of Pakistan is an autonomous and independent body that ensures and monitors ethical standards of practice for Pakistan’s print media through the implementation of the Ethical Code of Practice as set out in the Schedule of the PCP Ordinance, 2002.
The PCP Ordinance 2002 was promulgated on October 26, 2002, but the Council could not be constituted for one or another reason. It remained dormant and became functional upon completion of its composition, which was notified by the Federal Government on October 18, 2011.
Functions of PCP
- As the media continues to grow in Pakistan, the role of the Press Council of Pakistan is increasingly becoming more demanding and diverse since its revitalization in 2011 under PCP Ordinance 2002.
- Comprising 18 members and a chairman, PCP evolves, updates, and implements an ethical media code of practice under Section 8 of the PCP Ordinance. As a Complaint Commission, the Council receives and adjudicates complaints to check for violations of its ethical code of practice.
- The Council acts as a shield to protect the free functioning of the press and to guard against any interference in the independent working of the press from any quarter whatsoever. The main hindrance to the free flow of information and independence in reporting is the threat mainly from extremist elements and attacks on journalists and media houses.
- Under Section 8(2) of the PCP Ordinance, the Council also takes notice of different incidents in which working journalists are targeted. In some cases, the matter is taken up with the concerned authorities for appropriate action in the context of security by the journalists for tracking and bringing the culprits to book.
- Under Section 8(1)(i), the Council, while preserving the freedom of the press, has to maintain the highest professional and ethical standards of newspapers and news agencies with a view to making them more responsive to the issues and concerns of society in Pakistan.