PAID NEWS

About: 

• Meaning: Paid news is defined as any news or analysis appearing in print or electronic media for consideration in cash or kind. Manifestations of paid news are: 
  • Advertisements camouflaged as news, 
    
    
  • Denial of coverage to select electoral candidates, 
    
    
  • exchanging of advertisement space for equity stakes between media houses and corporate. 
    
    
  
  
  
• Recent trend in Paid News: 
  • The Press Council of India has received 58 cases of paid news during 2018-19 from the Election Commission and others. 
    
    
  • No specific instance of paid news in electronic media (Private Satellite TV Channels) has been brought to the notice of his ministry. 
    
    
  
  
  
• Steps recommended to counter paid news:
  • The Press Council of India has recommended amendment to the Representation of the People Act, 1951 in order to make the incidence of paid news a punishable electoral malpractice.
    
    
  • The Election Commission has also recommended for including paid news in the category of corrupt practices or electoral offences.