Lok Sabha Question No. 948 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-04
Subject: Paid News
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

## PAID NEWS

## 948. SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister f INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.948 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2015

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has come to know about some confirmed cases of news in the country during various elections or otherwise during the last three years and the current year; paid
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- c) the action taken by the Government against the erring media companies and the persons involved/benefitted from the news; and paid
- (d) the corrective steps taken by the Government to check news cases? being paid

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): In so far as Print Media is concerned, the Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory autonomous body has been set up to maintain and improve the standards of newspapers and also to inculcate the principles of self-regulation among the press The PCI takes cognizance, moto or on complaints of contents in media which are in violation of the Norms of the Journalistic Conduct: The PCI adjudicates upon such cases under section 14 of the Press Council Act; 1978. print

Most of the complaint cases related to Paid News been received  by the Election Commission of India during the last three years and the current year: Out of these cases, 12 confirmed cases in media have been adjudicated by the PCI whereas no specific instance of news in electronic media has come to the notice of the Government: print paid

The list of 12 confirmed Paid News cases in media is at Annexure: print

d) Election Commission of India has formulated various guidelines to restrict news during elections: The Commission vide its comprehensive guideline on news dated August; 2012 has 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 records of the  advertisements,  advertorials, discussions and interviews   relating to the candidates and parties The Returning Officers  concerned, issue notices to the candidates with to suspected cases of Paid News The accounting teams calculate   the  expenditure involved in the incident of  Paid News at the DAVPMDPIR rate, whichever is lower; and mention it in the election expenditure account of the candidates: In cases where the MCMC arrives at a finding of confirmation of complaint of Paid News, it issues due notice to candidate, as per existing guidelines of ECL paid 27th paid print keep regard

Besides, the Commission vide its letter dated 3rd February, 2011 to Mlo Law & Justice had recommended to add 'Paid News' in category of corrupt practices o electoral offences. The Commission had recommended that the provision should be made in the Representation of the People 1951 to include publishing and abetting of publishing of 'Paid News' for furthering the prospects of election of any candidate as an electoral offence under Chapter III of Part VII of the RP: Act; 1951 with exemplary punishment of a minimum of two years imprisonment Act, awareness onthe issue by putting its guidelines advising media and authorities on election process in domain. public

As regards the Electronic Media, all private satellite TV channels are required to adhere to the Programme and Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act; 1995 and Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 framed thereunder which contain a gamut The aforesaid Advertising Code mentions that any advertisement should be clearly distinguished from programme.

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## ANNEXURE AS\_ REFERRED TQ IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to\_(c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NQ.948 FOR ANSWER ON 04.12.2015 REGARDING PAID NEWS

## LIST OF PAID NEWS CASES ADJUDICATED BY PRESS COUNCIL OF INDIA

| S: No:   | Subject                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | Decision                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1-3 .    | Complaints of Shri Kapur, Haryana State Convenor; Labour Organization IFTU against the Editors, Punjab Kesari; Jalandhar; Dainik Bhaskar; Panipat and Dainik   Jagran, Panipat   for   publication of false and misleading news itemslarticles in favour of one candidate in the election of the Legislative Assembly of Haryana.                       | The Committee examined the case on merits and noted that the allegations of Paid News related to the year 2009, since then, guidelines have been laid down by the Press Council in 2010 on the issue, it therefore, directed give an undertaking in  writing that will follow the guidelines on Paid News laid down by the Press Council of India in 2010 Similar directions were given in absolute to Dainik Bhaskar with these observations, the Committee recommend to the Council to close the matter: The Press Council on consideration of records of the case and report of the Inquiry Committee accepts reasons and   adopts the   report of the Inquiry Committee and decides to close the st matter. Date of Decision is 21 December 2012 they |
| 4-11.    | The Council took suo-motu cognizance against the Dainik Hindustan; Dainik Jagran, Prabhat Khabar; Aaj; Rashtriya Sahara; Hindustan Times, Purvanchal Ki Raah and Dainik & Vyapar Times for publishing allegedly Paid News: Udyaog                                                                                                                       | The Press Council on consideration of records of the case and the report of the Inquiry Committee accepts the reasons and findings of censurelapology accordingly. 2012                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 12       | Complaint of Shri N. Kondal Reddy, Indian National Congress Worker, Kadapa District; Andhra Pradesh against the Editor, Sakshi Daily, Hyderabad, A.P. for publishing series of false allegations about N. Varadarajula Reddy, the contesting candidate for local authorities constituency in its issues   dated March 2, 2011 to March 11,2011. Kadappa | The Press Council on consideration of the records of the case and the report of the Inquiry Committee accepts the reasons and findings of the Committee and decides to dismiss the complaint for default: Date_of Decisionis 21st December_2012                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |

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