I & B Ministry planning law change to tackle paid news

To check the practice of paid news, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry is planning to incorporate a new provision in the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said his ministry had forwarded a proposal to the Law Ministry for vetting, which aimed to punish offenders of paid news.
Tewari said that as per the proposal, it would fall in the Press Council of India's domain to determine cases of violation and the penalty. He said as per the proposed provision, action will be taken on the basis of PCI recommendations.
"I think first violation for 30 days no DAVP ad and some censure. Second violation, 60 days no DAVP ads, third you scrap the recommendation," Tewari said recalling the proposed provisions.

Earlier, a parliamentary panel had made recommendations that supported reviewing election laws and rules to curb the menace of paid news in election process. It had also asked the I&B Ministry to take swift action in instances of paid news.