Monitoring panel formed to keep tab on 'paid news'

JEHANABAD: Following Election Commission of India (ECI) directives, Jehanabad DM-cum-district election officer M Sohail has constituted a district-level media certification and monitoring committee (MCMC) at Soochna Bhawan of public relations department to keep tab on the menace of "paid news" appearing in the various media.
Speaking to TOI, the DM, who is also the chairman of the committee, said that the committee, apart from entertaining application for certification of advertisements proposed to be issued on cable networks or TV channels by various political parties and candidates, will closely monitor the contents of news items printed in newspapers or aired by various electronic channels.
Acting DPRO Vivekanand Jha, who is the cell in charge, will keep a close watch on the contents of the electronic media, local cable networks, FM radio and social media.
Describing "paid news" as a serious electoral malaise, the DM said apart from circumventing election expenditure laws, the "paid news" hampers the ability of electorate to form correct opinions.
The DM said that in addition to certification and monitoring of the media contents, a constituency-wide educational campaign on "paid news" is being undertaken involving political parties, media persons and other stakeholders.
Admitting that self regulation by political parties, candidates and media persons is one of the main solutions to combat the malaise, the DM clarified that stringent action under section 127A of the RP Act 1951 will be initiated against all those found violating the EC guidelines on the "paid news".