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Newsmen, political leaders sensitised on �paid news�

By Staff Correspondent

DIBRUGARH, March 24 - The Deputy Commissioner here convened a meeting of all the local newsmen and representatives of various political parties at the conference hall of the office of the Deputy Commissioner to sensitise the media fraternity and the political leaders on �paid news� and on �Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC)� in view of the special strictures issued by the Election Commission of India in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.

In the meeting which was presided over by Deputy Commissioner P Jha, Additional Deputy Commissioner Manoj Baruah and District Information and Public Relations Officer (DIPRO) Sulakshana Mithi Kachari explained in detail about what would construe a �paid news� or for that matter an advertisement in the garb of news in the media.

They also spoke on the difference of advertisement and news as per the guidelines of the Press Council of India and on measures to check the �paid news.�

The Deputy Commissioner explained about the institution of �Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC)� and their functions and operations to check �paid news�. He also urged upon the newsmen to ensure that news on political parties and their leaders are covered honestly and in an unbiased manner.

�Any content in media, if suspected for �paid news�, could lead to a call for explanation and further action�, said the Deputy Commissioner.

An interactive session was also held among the participants on the topic and the Returning Officer and other officials attended to all the queries.

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