National Press Day: History, Significance, and Role of Media in Agriculture

Since media acts as a bridge between the powerful rulers and those who are being ruled, the independent press is frequently referred to as the voice of the voiceless. It also highlights the flaws in the system and helps in seeking solutions for the government. It is referred to as the fourth pillar of a strong democracy since it allows for direct participation by the general public.

History of Press Council of India

The Parliament established the Press Council of India (PCI) on July 4, 1966, intending to allow media outlets to self-censor so that the dual goals of a "Free" and "Responsible" press can be fulfilled. However, the body didn't start working for another 4 months. It was Friday, November 16, 1966. And for this reason, National Press Day is observed annually on November 16.

Later, the organization was given further authority and duties by the PCI Act of 1978.

Significance of the Press Council of India

The council is important to India since it was created specifically to defend the free press, which is the fourth pillar of democracy. As a result, it consistently tries to make sure that journalism's credibility is protected.

Role of Media in Agriculture

The extent and type of mass media use for development heavily influences the success of agricultural development programs in developing and underdeveloped nations. Planners in emerging nations are aware that the effective use of mass media could speed up the growth of agriculture.

In India, agricultural journalism is a relatively new concept. It only came into existence five decades ago. It is currently becoming more and more important, especially after the establishment of agriculture universities in India, to give farmers the correct technical information at the right time and in the right format to increase productivity as well as income.

Agri-journalists work primarily to gather, package, and report agricultural-related news and views to the public in time. They provide news related to agricultural land, problems and issues of the farmers of a country, and modern agriculture method and techniques.