National Press Day 2025: 'Safeguarding Press Credibility amidst Rising Misinformation'
National Press Day was observed on 16 November 2025 with the theme 'Safeguarding Press Credibility amidst Rising Misinformation', at an event in New Delhi attended by Union I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Summary
National Press Day, observed every 16 November, marks the establishment of the Press Council of India (PCI) in 1966 under the Indian Press Council Act, 1965; the Council was reconstituted in 1979 under a new Act after the 1965 law was repealed in 1975. At the 2025 event at the National Media Centre, PCI Chairperson Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Prakash Desai said AI can never replace the human mind, and PTI CEO Vijay Joshi urged accuracy over speed. The day is marked by the National Awards for Excellence in Journalism, whose highest honour is the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award. Registered publications in India have grown from 60,143 in 2004–05 to 1.54 lakh in 2024–25.
Key facts
- Date
- 16 November (every year)
- 2025 theme
- Safeguarding Press Credibility amidst Rising Misinformation
- Marks
- Establishment of Press Council of India, 1966
- PCI reconstituted
- 1979
- PCI Chairperson
- Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Prakash Desai
- Top journalism award
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award
- Registered publications
- 60,143 (2004–05) → 1.54 lakh (2024–25)
Practice MCQs 4 questions
National Press Day, observed on 16 November, marks the establishment of which body?
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Correct answer: B — Press Council of India
National Press Day marks the establishment of the Press Council of India in 1966 under the Indian Press Council Act, 1965.
What was the theme of National Press Day 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Safeguarding Press Credibility amidst Rising Misinformation
The 2025 theme was 'Safeguarding Press Credibility amidst Rising Misinformation'.
Consider the following statements: 1. The Press Council of India was first set up in 1966 under the Indian Press Council Act, 1965, and was reconstituted in 1979. 2. The Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award is the highest honour among the National Awards for Excellence in Journalism presented on National Press Day. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the PIB backgrounder on National Press Day 2025.
Who was the Chairperson of the Press Council of India at the National Press Day 2025 event?
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Correct answer: D — Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai
Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Prakash Desai, PCI Chairperson, set the tone for the event.