KOHIMA, February 15 (NEPS): Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat has said that politicians or contesting candidates talking to the media persons do not come under the purview of “Paid News.” He clarified this during a Press Conference held this morning here at Hotel Japfu, Kohima.
The CEC also said an exclusive interview of a particular contesting candidate would not come within the purview of “Paid News.” Media personnel can interview any contesting candidates and they are not “Paid News,” he added.
The issue of “Paid News” has surfaced from time to time during elections. Paid News has been defined as “Any news or analysis appearing in any media (Print or Electronic) for a price in cash or kind as consideration.” This has been causing concern to the Commission in the context of conduct of “free and fair” elections. To check such cases of Paid News, which has emerged as a serious electoral malpractice, a Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) has been constituted in every district.
Rawat has also informed that “Press Releases” given by any candidates or political parties to the Media Houses do not come under the purview of “Paid News.” Press statement of ex-candidates supporting a particular contesting candidate is also not “Paid News,” he added.
The Press Conference was attended by Election Commissioners, Sunil Arora and Askok Lavasa; Deputy Election Commissioner, Sudeep Jain; Director General, Dilip Sharma; Director General Direndra Ojha; Principal Secretary, Narendra N Butolia; and CEO, Nagaland, Abhijit Singha.
