NEW DELHI, Mar 30: The Press Council of India (PCI) on Monday advised the print media to follow its guidelines on election reporting and norms against paid news during the upcoming assembly elections and bypolls in several states.
In a statement, the PCI said newspapers should ensure fair and objective coverage of the election campaign during the assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, and bypolls to eight assembly constituencies in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Tripura.
Quoting its ‘Norms of Journalistic Conduct, 2022’, the council said general elections are an important feature of democracy and it is imperative that the media transmit fair and objective reports of the election campaign by contesting parties.
“It is, therefore, necessary to ensure that the media adheres to this principle of fair and objective reporting of the election campaign,” it said.
The PCI said it is the duty of the press to provide objective reports on elections and candidates and that newspapers should not indulge in unhealthy election campaigns or publish exaggerated reports about any candidate, party or election-related incident.
It said while two or three closely contesting candidates usually attract media attention, newspapers should not ignore any important point raised by a candidate while reporting on the campaign.
The council said election campaigning along communal or caste lines is banned and asked the press to avoid reports that promote feelings of enmity or hatred between people on the grounds of religion, race, caste, community or language.
It said the press should refrain from publishing false or critical statements regarding the personal character or conduct of any candidate, or reports related to a candidate’s nomination or withdrawal that could prejudice the candidate’s electoral prospects.
The PCI said newspapers should not publish unverified allegations against any candidate or political party.
It also said the press should not accept any inducement, financial or otherwise, to project a candidate or party, and should not accept hospitality or other facilities offered by or on behalf of any candidate or party.
The council said the press is not expected to canvass for any particular candidate or political party. However, if a newspaper chooses to do so, it must provide the rival candidate or party the right to reply.
It further said newspapers should not accept or publish advertisements paid for from the public exchequer regarding the achievements of a party or government in power.
The council asked the print media to comply with all directions, orders and instructions issued from time to time by the Election Commission, returning officers and chief electoral officers.
Referring to paid news, the council reiterated the definition adopted in July 2010, under which paid news means any news or analysis appearing in print or electronic media for a price in cash or kind.
The council said newspapers should not misconstrue or misquote statements made by any leaders and that editorials should reflect the true spirit of what the leader intended to convey.
It said news columns highlighting names of voters on caste basis and supporters of a candidate from a particular political party could amount to paid news.
The council said political reports with similar content appearing in competing newspapers strongly suggest paid news and that publication of the same news item verbatim in two newspapers during elections is unlikely to be accidental and may indicate publication for consideration.
It said the manner of presentation of a news report or photograph in favour of a particular candidate or party, especially if accompanied by an appeal to vote for that candidate or party, is suggestive of paid news.
Projecting the success of a candidate in an election even before the person has filed nomination papers is also indicative of paid news, it added.
The PCI advised newspapers to exercise caution while publishing reports and interviews of candidates during elections.
It said newspapers are free to make an honest assessment of the prospects of candidates or parties, subject to the conditions laid down by the Election Commission, and such assessments would not amount to paid news unless it is shown that consideration was involved.
The council also said newspapers should not publish any survey predicting the victory of a political party without verification.
It said attempts to influence voters by portraying a contesting candidate as possessing only virtues during the election period amount to paid news.
Similarly, publication of reports highlighting only the negative aspects of one candidate and the positive aspects of another candidate from a different party, without any basis, clearly indicates paid news, it added.
The council also said the media must abide by Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which bars publication or dissemination of exit poll results during the period notified by the Election Commission. (PTI)
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