Govt asks media to do self-introspection on paid news syndrome

"As far as paid news syndrome is concerned, the media needs to do self-introspection on how it can affect their credibility. Media stakeholders should deeply ponder over this. The solution has to come from within the media industry and not from outside," Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari told a news conference here.

To a question, Tewari said UPA government was against any kind of regulation as it believed in persuasion and not regulation.

Asked if he was in favour of bringing news broadcasters under the ambit of the Press Council of India, he said the government favoured self regulation.

"There is always pressure that the government should regulate but our philosphy has always been that we will work with persuasion, be it the Press Council and other stake- holders. We will talk to all and try to find a solution where all are involved," he said to a question.

On the issue of cable digitilisation, he said it was to make the industry more transparent, from the broadcasters to cable operators. The first phase was completed in four metros, there were some problems in Kolkata and Chennai, which we are sorting out. The second phase will cover 38 cities, which will be completed by March 31 next year.

Asked if government can allow free flow of Pakistani newspapers into the country, he said though in this age and times, one can read such newspapers at the touch of a button as internet editions can be accessed from anywhere, still the issue is one that needs to be dealt with at various levels of the government including the Ministry of External Affairs.