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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Paid news harming democracy itself, says Press Council

Paid news harming democracy itself, says Press Council

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published Published on Feb 11, 2010   modified Modified on Feb 11, 2010

The sub-committee constituted by the Press Council of India to examine the phenomenon of “paid news” during the recent Lok Sabha elections has expressed concern that some media organisations which are expected to set standards have themselves taken the lead in accepting money for the publication of news.

“The paid news phenomenon is not only eroding the confidence of the people in the media, but is hurting and harming democracy itself,” sub-committee member Paranjoy Guha Thakurta told journalists.

After the conclusion of a two-day meeting with stakeholders on “paid news,” Mr. Thakurta said the owners and representatives of media organisations were denying charges of accepting money for publishing news reports.

“The managements against whom there is considerable circumstantial evidence are taking the moral high ground when asked about the phenomenon,” he said.

The panel had completed hearings in Mumbai and Hyderabad and was expected to take up a similar exercise in Ahmedabad, Mr. Thakurta said. Representations from several States were pouring in, while P. Sainath, Rural Affairs Editor of The Hindu, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan were among others who deposed before the sub-committee.

“It is time for drafting the report and hopefully we will complete it by the end of March,” he said.

Mr. Thakurta said the examination of the phenomenon posed a big problem as “there will be no material evidence and whatever is available is circumstantial.” There was no cheque payment and the receipts the panel managed to get were not genuine, he added.

The panel would request the Election Commission to take steps to ensure that such “malpractices and unethical practices” were curbed in the future. “We are not just deceiving readers/viewers by publishing paid news, but are undermining the credibility of the media itself,” Mr. Thakurta said.

Asked whether the sub-committee would recommend penal powers to the Press Council, he said: “We may make recommendations, but it is up to Parliament to take a decision in this direction.”

Indian Journalists Union secretary-general and member of the sub-committee K. Srinivas Reddy expressed concern that several managements had not turned up in spite of invitations.


The Hindu, 11 February, 2010, http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/11/stories/2010021159841000.htm
 

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