Print Media Be Aware! Press Council Of India Issues ‘Advisories’ Ahead Of Karnataka Elections

The Press Council of India (PCI) has advised the print media to follow the norms, rules and regulations of journalistic conduct on paid news ahead of the upcoming Karnataka elections.

Press Council Of India issues advisories for print media

Taking notes from the advisories issued, the Press Council of India has also cautioned against the publication of any news that may appear to predict the results of the elections before the date of the poll in Karnataka.

Noting that newspapers should not misconstrue or misquote the statements given by any leader, the PCI said the statements quoted in the editorial should project the true spirit of what was being tried to be conveyed by them.

“Columns of news items which largely indicate names of voters on caste basis and supporters of the candidate of a particular political party, such tenor and manner of presentation of news establish the report to be paid news,” it said. Political news published in competing newspapers with similar content strongly suggests such reports be paid news.

What if two newspapers publish the same news?

Further, the advisories said, in the case when two newspapers publish the same news item verbatim during election days is not accidental and it is evident that such news items have been published for consideration.

The manner of presentation of a news item/photograph that too in favour of a particular party/candidate as also the appeal for voting in favour of a particular party is suggestive of paid news, it said.

Showing film stars, success of candidates will be considered paid news

The Press Council also said projecting a candidate’s success in the election, who was yet to file a nomination, was also suggestive of paid news. News reports on campaign meetings and enthusiasm, because film stars were present, cannot be termed paid news.

“While covering news on the election, the newspapers are advised to ensure balance in publishing reports/interviews of candidates. During the course of the election, subject to conditions laid down by the Election Commission of India, newspapers are free to make an honest assessment of the prospects of candidates or the parties and its publication would not be paid news so long it is not established that consideration passed on for such publication,” the Council said.

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No winning prediction

Moreover, newspapers have also been told not to publish any news survey predicting the victory of any political party without verification of it.

The council added, “An attempt to influence the voters by projecting the contesting candidate with all virtues during the election is paid news. A news item giving the negative aspect of a candidate and at the same time the positive aspect of the candidate of another political party without any basis clearly shows that it is paid news.” The Council also advised the Print media against publishing or publicising any such news of results, during the period of 48 hours before the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll in Karnataka.