The Election Commission is closely monitoring social media as it is making all-out efforts to check the scourge of paid news in Ernakulam district.
This is based on the fact that the Assembly election candidates are active in social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp.
The Election Commission has noticed a quantum jump in the use of social media compared to previous elections. Campaigning is taking place through the accounts of candidates and their pages. WhatsApp groups have also been formed for the purpose. Candidates have been asked to file affidavits with regard to the use of social media. Accounts and posts would be monitored based on this affidavit.
Extensive mechanism is in place in the district to monitor and regulate the printing, broadcasting and telecasting of paid news during this Assembly election. Any news or advertisements to the benefit of candidates through print, audio and visual media would be treated as paid news. The district-level monitoring committee will identify the paid news based on the Press Council guidelines.
The cost of paid news would be added to the election expenditure of the candidates. The committee would submit reports on paid news to the returning officers. Explanation will be sought on such cases within 98 hours and the candidates should respond within 48 hours. In the event of failure to respond on time, the committee would be empowered to reach a judicious decision. Candidates not satisfied with the decision will have the right to approach the State-level committee.
If media houses working in close association with political parties publish one-sided news, it would be treated as paid news. Strict guidelines are also in place to monitor advertisements placed by candidates in the media. The media should not publish advertisements without the certification of the district-level media monitoring committee. The costs of such advertisements would also be included in the campaign expenditure of candidates.
Political advertisements broadcasted by private radio channels are also being monitored. Reports on paid news are being prepared based on the close scrutiny of radio, television channels and cable television networks.
