Section 500 IPC prescribes the punishment for defamation. The section reads as follows:
"Whoever defames another shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both".
Section 501 of IPC makes "printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory" and section 502 makes "sale of printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter" also offences punishable with simple imprisonment which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
The Press Council of India has been established with the objects of preserving the freedom of the Press and of maintaining improving the standards of newspapers and news agencies in the country. It is to further these objects, that the Council is required among other things,
to help newspapers and news agencies to maintain independence;
to build up a code of conduct for newspapers agencies and journalists in accordance with high professional stands to ensure on their parts the maintenance of high standards of public taste and to foster a due sense of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and to foster the growth of a sense of responsibility and public service among all those engaged in the profession of journalism.
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