Describing the phenomenon of "paid news" as a serious matter which can cause harm to Indian democracy, a Parliamentary panel has expressed "deep concern" over it and has asked the government to strengthen Press Council of India Act to deal with the issue.
The Standing Committee on Information Technology in its report tabled in Parliament recently said, "it is shocked to note from the information given by the ministry, that various representations have been addressed to the Press Council of India (PCI), with reference to the alleged payment taken/received by media during 2009 Lok Sabha elections for coverage relating to candidates."
Noting that PCI had formed a sub-committee on the issue, which has already submitted its report for consideration of the full council, the panel further said, "the phenomenon of 'paid news' is a serious matter for the country which can cause harm to Parliamentary democracy."
"Expressing deep concern over this phenomena, which influences functioning of free press, the committee strongly recommends that the ministry should look into the matter seriously."
During examination of demands for grants of the previous year, the committee had been informed that to give the council more powers, a proposal to amend the PCI Act is under consideration of the government, the panel noted.
"In view of the aforesaid development, the committee feels that urgent action should be taken to amend the PCI Act, so as to provide adequate powers to the council to enable it to deal with the 'paid news' issue," it said.
The panel said that since the PCI is already seized of the matter and the sub-committee is examining the issue, the report of the PCI should be placed before the I&B Ministry within a definite time-frame and these findings along with the action taken on it by the ministry should be communicated to the committee.
