Founded in 1963, the Press Institute of India, a first of its kind in Asia, is an independent, non-profit trust, established to create and sustain high and responsible standards of journalism required by a developing country committed to democratic functioning.

For many years, PII was the nodal agency for sending journalists - reporters, sub-editors and photographers - for training to the Thomson Foundation, UK. Today, PII's training workshops for journalists are conducted in-house or in cities and rural areas of India. There is a strong focus on rural reporting, development journalism and writing on women's empowerment, the panchayat movement, the fight against child labour, the fight for child rights, etc. Over the years, PII has trained thousands of journalists from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and other parts of Asia.

PII currently gives priority to promoting human development journalism, with emphasis on the panchayat movement, rural reporting, education, economic and civic issues and women's empowerment. This is to encourage coverage of vital issues affecting the lives of the majority of our people, which mainstream media is really not in a position to cover substantially.

Publications:

Vidura, the oldest (in publication since 1963), is a substantive quarterly journal that focuses primarily on pertinent issues relating to the media. Many of the articles are from established writers, senior editors and journalists. Being a platform for exchange of news and views on a wide spectrum of developments in the media industry, it is a must-read for both the aspiring journalist as well as those well ensconced in the profession.

RIND Survey, in its 33rd year, continues to focus on the technical aspects relating to newspaper production. In recent years, this has expanded to include developments in television, the Internet and social or new media. It has a wide canvas as it reports on technical developments around the world, since all of it impacts publishers and editors in India as well.

Grassroots is a monthly, which looks at a range of social development issues, with the thrust being on women achievers and their fight against the odds. There are stories from across India's heartland and most of them strike a chord. In many ways, it is the voice of the real India.

In 2011, PII-RIND and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) conducted workshops in Tamil Nadu and Kerala with the object of sensitising journalists on issues relating to children and women. Similar workshops are being conducted this year in Tamil Nadu. Presently, the two are partnering to facilitate interactions at the Chennai Press Club, between journalists and children who have fought the odds and become achievers. Child rights, child participation and other issues are some of the themes being covered.

PII has had long-standing collaborations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF, the Press Foundation of Asia and the Ford Foundation. There have been other notable collaborations - with the British Council, Thomson Foundation, Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Oxfam (GB), Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, International Council for Rehabilitation of Torture Victims, and the International Red Cross.

Research Institute for Newspaper Development (RIND)

RIND was established under the Registration of Societies Act in 1979 with the joint efforts of seven newspaper publishers and editors – the Anandabazar Patrika, The Hindu, Malayala Manorama, Deccan Herald, Nai Dunia, Andhra Patrika and Gujarat Samachar – and thanks to the initiative taken by C.G.K. Reddy after he had retired from The Hindu as business manager. Reddy became the institution’s first director, and editor of its publication RIND Survey, a monthly (started in January 1980) that focuses more on the technical aspects of the newspaper and news publishing business.

Over the years, RIND has become a reference point for those in the press and media, conducting workshops for journalists, sensitising them to subjects pertinent to reporting and writing.

In 2001, the Indian Newspaper Society (INS), New Delhi recognised the services of RIND Survey to the newspaper industry and decided to subscribe to the magazine for all its member publications.  The arrangement continues till date.

Since January 2007, the premises is also home to the World Association of Newspaper and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) Research and Material Testing Centre.

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