National Daily Current Affairs: 19/09/2026

National Schemes & Policies in News 🏛️

The role of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) as the nodal agency of the Government of India for disseminating information to the print and electronic media is central to modern governance. In recent briefings, emphasize was placed on strengthening the feedback loop between the public and policymakers. The Central Media Accreditation Guidelines were highlighted as a key policy framework ensuring that journalists can effectively act as the 'Essential Bridge' as stated by the Director General (i/c), South Zone.

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Exam-Oriented Current Affairs & Key Facts 📝

• Polity & Governance: Shri V. Palanichamy, Director General (i/c) of South Zone PIB, emphasized the importance of objective journalism in a democracy. The role of the PIB is to provide verified information to prevent misinformation.
• Institutional Framework: The Press Council of India (PCI) acts as a self-regulatory body for the press, established under the Press Council Act, 1978. It is a quasi-judicial authority.
• Media & Outreach: The government is increasingly using the 'Vartalap' workshops (Media Workshops) to sensitize regional journalists about various central schemes like PM-Kisan and Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Digital Governance: PIB's Fact Check Unit (FCU) has become a crucial tool in the government's strategy to combat 'fake news' and maintain public order.

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One-Liner Revision Notes ⚡

• PIB South Zone is currently headed by Director General Shri V. Palanichamy.
• The PIB serves as the nodal agency for all media communication of the Government of India.
• Journalists are described as the 'Essential Bridge' between the administration and the common public.
• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is the parent ministry for PIB and the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI).
• The Press Information Bureau was initially known as the 'Central Bureau of Information' at the time of its inception in 1919.
• Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution provides the 'Freedom of Speech and Expression' which includes freedom of the press.
• The PIB reaches out to media through press releases, press notes, feature articles, and infographics.

MCQs from Current Affairs ❓

Q1: Who recently described journalists as the 'Essential Bridge' between the Government and the Public?

• A) Shri Rajnath Singh
• B) Shri V. Palanichamy
• C) Shri Anurag Thakur
• D) Shri S. Jaishankar

Q2: In which year was the Press Information Bureau (PIB) originally established?

• A) 1947
• B) 1950
• C) 1919
• D) 1966

Q3: Under which Ministry does the Press Information Bureau (PIB) function?

• A) Ministry of Home Affairs
• B) Ministry of Electronics and IT
• C) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
• D) Ministry of Culture

Q4: Which constitutional article encompasses the Freedom of the Press in India?

• A) Article 21
• B) Article 19(1)(a)
• C) Article 14
• D) Article 25

Q5: What is the primary function of the Fact Check Unit (FCU) of PIB?

• A) To distribute government ads
• B) To identify and debunk fake news regarding government policies
• C) To issue passports to journalists
• D) To conduct elections for media houses