ABSTRACT
The accountability of the news media toward the public has been widely discussed in academia and professional settings. Among the several forms of media accountability mechanisms currently in practice around the world (e.g., Press Council and Ombudsmen), this study critically analyzes the role of a press council, namely, the Press Council Nepal (PCN). The study focuses on PCN's effectiveness and challenges to make news media and journalists accountable to the professional standards and interests of the public. Based on a critical review of available literature from various sources, this chapter shows that political influences have gripped the council, there are constraints of resources and legal mandate, and its institutional capacity has stagnated in spite of the explosion in media outlets and forms. Additionally, this chapter assesses various dimensions of the council, such as degree of autonomy, structural composition, and funding sources that may affect the autonomy and effectiveness of the council in implementing its mandates. In spite of all the challenges, however, we argue that the PCN is still relevant for a developing country like Nepal because of the lack of other effective accountability mechanisms. We indeed highlight the unique affordances of a press council, in some form, as a tool in the toolset for maintaining professionalism and accountability.
