Lok Sabha Question No. 6411 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Paid News
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: RAMA KISHORE SINGH

## PAID NEWS

## 6411. SHRI RAMA KISHORE SINGH:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 6411 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

be pleased to state:

- the details of complaints received about news in electronic and media and those (a) lodged by the Press Council of India by taking self-cognizance thereof; print paid
- whether it has not been possible to check this trend for lack of law on news b) and if $o, the details thereof; and paid special any
- whether the Government proposes to frame any law o policy to check news and (c) the Press Council Act as per the recommendations of the Election Commission of India and if so, the details thereof and ifnot; the reasons therefor? paid amend

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING [COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd:)]

- Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory autonomous body established under the Press (a) Council Act;, 1978,received 600 cases of Paid News, which were forwarded by ECI and others So far as electronic various newspapers instance of news in electronic  media (private TV media is concerned, no Channels) has come to the notice of this Ministry: against paid specific
- (b) & (c): PCI has created awareness o the issue by putting its guidelines advising media and authorities on election process in domain. Regarding electronic media, aS per framework, private satellite TV channels are to adhere to the existing regulatory under the Cable Television Networks Programme and Advertising Codes   prescribed (Regulation) Act 1995 and Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 framed thereunder which contain a of criteria to be followed while carrying programmes and advertisement in such TV channels: The Advertising Code mentions that any advertisement should be clearly distinguished from programme. public public required gamut

In addition, ECI has formulated various guidelines to restrict news during elections. The vide its comprehensive guideline on news dated 27th August, 2012 has Commission constituted  District level and State level Media Certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMC) The MCMC examines all the newspapers, media, electronic media,  cable networks etc. and keep records of the advertisements, advertorials, discussions and interviews a relating to Committee at its own level to examine references from State level MCMCs and to support formulation for issues related to news and those related to usage of electronic and policy media for campaigning by parties and candidates. paid paid print paid print is established as confirmed case of Paid News, the same is forwarded to Press After a case Council of India in case of media and to News Broadcasters Association (NBA) in case of electronic media for appropriate action involved media house. The Commission also Press Note in all the elections starting from the year 2012 for Media to be issues a observed during elections This Press Note incorporates the guidelines issues by the Press NBA for and electronic media   respectively. The Election Commission has already written to Ministry of Law & Justice vide its letter dated 3rd the 2011 for necessary amendment in Representation of People Act to make Paid News February; an electoral offence. print against general print