The Press Council of India is operating with only half of its sanctioned strength, according to a report on October 9. The council is the statutory body that oversees press standards and adjudicates complaints against newspapers and journalists.

Running at half strength limits its ability to hear cases promptly and uphold media ethics. Complaints can pile up when the bench is thin.

Vacancies in quasi-judicial bodies are a long-running problem in India, often blamed on slow appointments. Media watchdogs say an under-staffed council weakens accountability at a time when the press faces pressure from many sides.

The government has not commented on a timeline to fill the posts. Until then, the council must do more with less.

A fully staffed Press Council matters for readers who want a forum to challenge unfair reporting. The vacancies deserve urgent attention.

The council hears complaints against the press and sets ethical standards. With fewer members, pending cases take longer to resolve. Journalists’ bodies have long demanded faster appointments. A stronger council would also boost public trust in the grievance process.