By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Terming the media as the ‘watchdog of the society’, Director General of Election Commission of India (Head of Election Expenditure Cell) PK Dash on Thursday called upon the media persons to note the menace of ‘paid news’ during elections.
Stating that almost 40 per cent of the total fund is spent on ‘paid news’ during the election in other states of the country, Dash said the Election Commission (EC), concerned over this growing menace, had to set up a Committee to scrutinize incidents of ‘paid news’ during elections.
“The EC is concerned over the growing menace of unethical practice of paid news and the role of money during elections,” Dash said, adding that if such incidences are found the Committee will issue a notice to the particular candidate seeking a reply on the same.
Addressing media persons here on Thursday, Dash informed that the appearance of any news reports against any unethical practices in newspapers will be taken as a formal complaint by the EC.
Making it clear that the menace of ‘paid news’ was not prevalent in Meghalaya, Dash sought cooperation from the media houses to check this menace before it establishes its root in the State.
Elaborating on the issue of ‘paid news’ on web portals, Deputy Secretary of the Election Commission (media guidelines), Padma Angmo, said that for web portals, it would be based on ethical and financial aspects.
Reacting to a query, Angmo said that publicity through popular social websites would not be considered as paid news as it is a platform for the candidate to campaign but if payment is made for promotion, then the same rules will be applied to the erring candidate.
State Chief Electoral Officer P Naik said the Committee will look into such kinds of practices in the State and sought the partnership of the media to keep track of the same.
Earlier, EC officials met representatives of different political parties of the State to discuss on the same. “The political parties have assured to keep track of such incidences and to uphold clean and ethical practices during the election,” Dash informed.
