Government to axe paid news

The government intends to curb the menace of paid news ahead of the general elections. It is planning to bring a legislation in the winter session of Parliament that will penalise news outlets who are found guilty of indulging in paid news. 

In what may turn out to be bad news for publishers of books, periodicals, newspapers, magazines and any other specified print and online publications, the government is set to put in place stringent provisions on carriage of “paid news” and declaration of returns including advertising revenue among others in the revised draft of the Press and Registration of Books and Publications Bill, 2013. 

In order to act swiftly on publications indulging in “paid news”, the government has decided to make carrying of “paid news” an offence which will be punishable by cancellation of registration certificate issued by the Press Registrar General. 

Additionally, the government has specified that in the event of violation of any provisions laid down in the draft Bill, either up to six months of jail or fine of Rs. 10,000 or both will be in place for the publishers or owners of such publications. 

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has, in fact, defined what constitutes “paid news” in the revised draft of the Press and Registration of Books and Publications Bill, 2013. 

As per the definition, which the draft proposes, “Paid news means publishing any news or analysis in the publication for a price in cash or kind as consideration.” 

The draft also lays down the course of action that would be taken in case a publication is found to have indulged in the practice of paid news. It says that if a publication is found guilty of paid news, the declaration made by it under the provisions of the act would be cancelled as well as the registration certificate issued by Press Registrar General. 

Another important amendment that the ministry has proposed in the draft bill suggests that the definition of newspapers should be expanded to include its web editions too. 

As per Section 43 of the draft Bill, any person who, in making any declaration or statements under the authority of this Act, makes a statement which is false shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months and fine which may extend to Rs. 10,000. 

However, there are sufficient checks and balances mentioned in the draft Bill. For example, according to Section 49, no court will take cognizance of any offence under the proposed law except when a written complaint is made by the Press Registrar General or a specified authority. 

In another provision, the Press Registrar General shall have to provide sufficient opportunity to the person/persons alleged to have violated the rules of the yet-to-be-made law.

But here is the most important thing for publishers. As per Section 31 of the draft Bill, it shall be the duty of the publisher and owner (in the absence of the publisher) of every publication to furnish an annual statement as may be prescribed by the government. However, what makes the situation tricky for the publishers/owners is they may have to provide details of the advertising revenue as and when asked for. 

However, the Press Registrar General shall only cancel the registration of a publication if and only if the publishers/owners fail to provide annual statements and other details three years in a row.

Source: http://cablequest.org/news/national-news/item/3523-government-to-axe-paid-news.htmlSource: http://cablequest.org/news/national-news/item/3523-government-to-axe-paid-news.html