New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The Election Commission Wednesday urged the electronic media to report to it cases of paid news, where political parties approach channels for advertisements without the certification of the poll panel.
“Paid news without the certification of the poll panel are electoral offence. It gives a wrong idea to the public and tries to manipulate them, which is a violation of the model code of conduct,” said Vijay Dev, chief electoral officer of Delhi, at a media workshop here.
The news channels were also directed to disclose their political affiliations, either towards a political party or candidate.
He said news broadcasters that use video feed from political parties will have to disclose it.
The media channels have been directed not to broadcast any election-related matter intended or calculated to influence the results of the election.
A total number of 54 paid news items without the certification of the Election Commission were reported in the Delhi assembly polls in 2013.