Strongly opposing Press Council of India's (PCI) move for bringing the electronic media within its purview, National Broadcasters Association (NBA) today said it will negate the self regulatory mechanism put in place by the association.

Urging PCI Chairman Justice Markandey Katju to "engage himself constructively with print media matters", the NBA in a statement also asked him not to "exceed his remit on commenting upon areas which are outside his jurisdiction".

The NBA wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opposing any such move by the PCI and highlighted the achievements of its self regulatory mechanism.

"NBA urges the Chairman, PCI to engage himself constructively with print media matters, which is the mandate he has under the Press Council Act and not to exceed his remit on commenting upon areas which are outside his jurisdiction," the broadcasters body said in the statement.

It also expressed surprise over the resolution passed by the PCI to seek amendments for bringing electronic media under its jurisdiction.

"NBA is surprised and extremely disappointed to note that the Chairman, PCI has unilaterally released a resolution purportedly passed by the PCI to initiate suitable legislation to amend the Press Council Act by bringing electronic media - both broadcast and social media - within the purview of Press Council Act and renaming it as The Media Council," it said.

Claiming that its self regulatory mechanism had a positive impact, it said, "The NBA strongly opposes this move which seeks to negate the self regulatory mechanism that has been in force for the last several years and has had a very real and positive impact in improving broadcasting standards."