Media's support sought in checking practice of ‘paid news’

by Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 6

Director General, Election Commission of India Akshay Rout today  called upon the media to give full  support in checking the practice of ‘paid news’ during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This practice weakens the democratic system and obstructs dissemination of right information to the masses. The Election Commission of India is committed to completely curb the system of paid news.

Mr. Rout, who was addressing a media workshop on Election Regulation, Paid News and Systematic Voters Education and Electors Participation here today, said that the ensuing parliamentary elections are the biggest elections in the largest democracy of the world. Hence, media support is needed for conducting free, fair and peaceful elections. Moreover, media cooperation is also needed to ensure more participation of people during the elections, he added.

He said that media should also have to remain extra conscious in the last 48 hours before the commencing of the polls. During this period, the news which can influence the voters and could be a factor in making a candidate win or lose his or her seat is restricted under Section 126B of Representation of the People Act.  This is a violation of model code of conduct which would attract imprisonment upto two years with fine. Internet based media is also covered under this Act.

Mr. Rout informed that Media Certification and Monitoring Committees have been constituted at district, State and Commission level for certification of advertisements and to monitor media with regard to paid news. The members of these Committees would comprise the experts of media and related fields, who will keep a strict vigil on news appearing in print or electronic media.  These Committees will give daily report on all advertising expenditure of a candidate, including cases of paid news along with supportive documents and also investigate cases of doubtful news. Returning Officers will issue notice to candidates on Paid News, on recommendation of the District committees asking why the expenditure on the suspected case of paid news should not be shown in his or her account. If the committee would declare content as paid news, then expenditure of the same would be added in total expenditure limit of contesting candidate at the rates of Public Relations or DAVP whichever is applicable, he added.

Mr. Rout said that publicity material released by political parties on social media would also be covered under the Act. The contesting candidates would have to submit the details of their accounts on social media while filing nominations and also would have to get the certification of such advertisement and other contents to be publicized on such account from Commission. Expenditure on managing such accounts and publishing the content on these sites would also be added in the total limit of contesting candidates.

He clarified that if any other person has to carry out a publicity campaign for a candidate or party on social media, in that case, such person would have to get an authorized certificate to this effect from such candidate or party. Apart from this, adverse and hostile publicity would also be covered under the Act.

Referring to the guidelines of the Supreme Court of India for prohibiting promises of gifts to people by political parties during elections, he said that it was a corrupt practice under Section 123 of the Act. The Supreme Court has issued directions to this effect and Election Commission has also been issuing guidelines for the same from time to time. On such promises, political parties would have to explain from where they would mobilize resources to meet such promises. If any political party would offer any free commodity during elections, in that case, expenditure would be added in the account of contesting candidate.

Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Shrikant Walgad, Punjab CEO Mr. V.K. Singh, Additional Director Information and Public Relations Department Haryana Mr. Rajiv Khosla, Additional CEOs Haryana, Mrs. Ritu Choudhry, Mrs. Monika Malika and Mr. Prithvi Singh and officers of Election Department besides several mediapersons  participated in the workshop.