Press Council of India Issues Guidelines on Paid News Ahead of Karnataka Elections

19-04-2023 : The Press Council of India has released guidelines for the print media ahead of the Karnataka elections to ensure responsible and ethical journalism throughout election season. The rules, which are outlined in advisory, stress the significance of abiding by the standards of journalistic decorum and avoiding any actions that might be construed as paid journalism.

One of the key guidelines is to refrain from publishing news that predicts the results of the elections before the date of the poll. This is to prevent any undue influence on voters and to maintain the integrity of the democratic process. The Council also cautions against the publication of news that may misconstrue or misquote statements made by political leaders. It emphasizes the need to accurately convey the true spirit of the statements without any distortion.

The Council also advises against publishing news items that indicate names of voters on caste basis or supporters of a particular political party, as this may be suggestive of paid news. Such news items are considered unethical and can compromise the impartiality and fairness of the election coverage. The Council also highlights that the publication of similar content in competing newspapers during the election period may suggest paid news, as it is unlikely to be accidental and indicates a lack of independent reporting.

The guidelines also address the issue of projecting a candidate’s success in the election before they have even filed their nomination, which is considered as paid news. The Council emphasizes the need for balanced reporting, ensuring that reports and interviews of candidates are fair and impartial. However, it also clarifies that newspapers are free to make an honest assessment of the prospects of candidates or parties during the course of the election, as long as there is no consideration passed on for such publication.

In addition, the Council advises against publishing or publicising any news survey predicting the victory of any political party without proper verification. This is to prevent the dissemination of misleading information that may influence voters’ decisions. The Council also warns against publishing news items that give a negative aspect of one candidate and a positive aspect of another candidate without any basis, as this can be considered as paid news.

Finally, the Council advises against publishing or publicising any news of results during the 48 hours before the conclusion of the polls in Karnataka. This is to prevent premature announcements that may affect the voting process and compromise the integrity of the elections.

Overall, the Press Council of India’s guidelines aim to ensure that the print media maintains high standards of journalistic ethics and professionalism during the Karnataka elections. Responsible and unbiased reporting is essential to uphold the democratic values of fairness, transparency, and integrity in the electoral process.