|
PCI for guidelines to check paid news……Anubhuti Vishnoi
Months after the controversy over “paid news” broke, the Press Council of India (PCI) is readying guidelines to check this trend. PCI Chairperson Justice G N Ray told The Indian Express that on the anvil could be proposals that suggest that if the Council adjudicates over a complaint and censures a newspaper, the same would have to be carried on the front page of the newspaper.
That apart, if a newspaper is censured twice in a year, it should be barred from getting any DAVP advertisements for three months. Further in ‘extreme cases’ and with the concurrence of the two-third majority of the Council, a newspaper can be directed to stop publication for 1-2 days if necessary.
The PCI — which is likely to finalise its report on checking ‘paid news’ next month —has suggested that while the Election Commission would be competent to ensure the problem does not make its way into political and election specific reportage, newspapers must disclose if they have a stake in a company when it comes to business reportage.
“Paid news has different and complex dimensions. While one aspect is paid news in political reporting, the other and more worrying aspect is paid news in corporate reporting. SEBI has even written to us saying very often newspaper corporate communications enter into lucrative private treaties to have companies as brand ambassadors or for favourable reports,” said a highly placed source. “This aspect is of concern and a way to check this is by asking newspapers to disclose if they have a stake in a particular company. This information should be included as a foot note under the concerned report so that readers are not misled.”
Advertorials, sponsored news are all on the Press Council’s radar and it is accordingly drafting a “workable” definition of paid news to capture all these aspects.
The Press Council has proposed strong measures by way of amendments proposed to the Press Council Act, 1978. Claiming, however, that the Council was not out to police the fourth estate, the PCI has also proposed that in case a reporter/newspaper is threatened by government officials, action should be taken against such officials as well.
PCI enjoys limited authority with its powers restricted to giving directions and censures to newspapers and asking them to publish details relating to its inquiry. With no punitive powers to back its directions, the PCI is often and referred to as a ‘toothless’ body. It has for long been asking for amendments to Section 14(1)of the PCI Act which currently delineates the powers of the body.
|