List of organisations that can receive complaints against the media:
The Press Council of India: This is a statutory, quasi judicial body which acts as a watchdog of the press. It adjudicates the complaints against and by the press for violation of ethics and for violation of the freedom of the press respectively.
Complaints may be filed in a prescribed format which can be downloaded from the Press Council website:
News Broadcasters Association : This represents 20 leading private television news & current affairs broadcasters (comprising 45 news and current affairs channels) as its members. It is an organization funded entirely by its members.
Complaints may be filed in a prescribed format which can be downloaded from its website:
Indian Broadcasting Foundation : This organization of television broadcasters consists of major broadcasters with more than 250 TV Channels. It is considered the accredited spokesperson of the broadcasting industry.
Complaints may be addressed to this organisation by downloading its complaint form available on its website:
Please note that both these organisations are run by the broadcasting industry. Hence, please ensure that your complaint is addressed to the appropriate broadcasting authority that represents the channel you have a complaint against.
The Advertising Standards Council of India : The Advertising Standards Council of India is a self regulatory voluntary organization of the advertising industry. ASCI’s Code for Self-Regulation in Advertising is now part of ad code under Cable TV Act’s Rules. Violation of ASCI’s Code is now violation of Govt. rules.
The Consumer Complaints Council comprise 21 eminent people not associated with advertising ( such as lawyer, doctor, journalist, teachers, technical experts consumer activities etc.) and 9 are from industry (advertiser, media, ad agencies and allied professionals.
Complaints may be addressed to ASCI in a prescribed format, available on its website:
http://www.ascionline.org/
International organisations that can help journalists in distress
Rory Peck Trust : This organisation supports freelance newsgatherers and their families worldwide in times of need and promotes their welfare and safety.
The Media Legal Defence Initiative: exists to help journalists and media outlets defend their rights. It works in all regions of the world to provide legal support to journalists and media outlets who seek to protect their right to freedom of expression. http://www.mediadefence.org/