The bodies listed here are both genuine press councils (PC) and similar institutions, such as "media observatories" common in Africa. Some are listed with reservations: Their independence or their activity could not be ascertained.
A PC is the best-known Media Accountability System (MAS). It can be found in all Nordic, Germanic and Anglo-Saxon democracies — as well as in countries as diverse as India, Chile, Israel, Tanzania and Estonia.
Normally, a PC brings together representatives of press owners, journalists and the public to examine complaints against the media and to defend press freedom. Its only weapon is the publication of its judgments.
The data given here will hopefully enable independent press councils (IPC) to contact each other and form a vast informal network for the improvement of journalism.
Please select a country from the drop-down list and then click on "View Country" below:
