In the backdrop of the Bihar assembly polls, the Election Commission has made it clear that any departure from the Press Council of India’s guidelines on ‘paid news’ will attract prima facie investigation.
The commission said a district level committee comprising a district electoral officer, along with a district public relation officer and an independent citizen or journalist as recommended by the press council, will keep a tab on paid news during the elections.
This was communicated to all chief electoral officers of states through a letter last week. The district level committee will also have an officer from the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, subject to availability.
In the letter, the commission circulated the press council’s guidelines against ‘paid news’.
It reminded the chief electoral officers that “any news or analysis appearing in any media (print and electronic) for a price in cash or kind as consideration†as described by the Council will be treated as paid news.
Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Ahead-of-Bihar-polls–EC-steps-up-vigil-on-paid-news/690362