The Election Commission of India will take appropriate measures to monitor the prevalence of paid news during the campaign for ensuing general elections in the State.
Addressing the workshop with media on paid news, ECI Director Akshay Rawat informed that a Media Certificate Monitoring Committee would work round the clock to review the paid news. He said all the rules applicable for advertisements in electronic media would also be applicable to the social media networks. Stating that media plays an important role in curbing irregularities in the election process, he sought cooperation to ensure conduct of free and fair polls. He requested media to ensure that no debates or campaign material are shown in televisions channels or newspaper 48 hours before the polling. He said electoral malpractices could be eliminated with the active cooperation of the media.
Rawat also informed that nearly 1,000 cases of paid news were reported during the last Assembly elections held in five States including Delhi. He said that the Election Commission was taking action on them. He informed that the Election Commission had so far conducted 15 Lok Sabha and 348 Assembly elections in the country.
Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal also addressed the workshop and appealed to the media to cooperate with the election machinery.
Earlier, Rawat also addressed a meeting with the prominent Non-Governmental Organisations. (INN)