Final Cover Election Expenditure - Election Commission of India

4.12.1. Paid News: The Paid News has been defined by Press Council of India as ‘any news oranalysis appearing in any media (Print and Electronic) for a price in cash or kind asconsideration’. The Commission has decided to go by this definition. The ECI circularNo.491/Media/2010 dated 8 th June 2010 sets out the approach to Paid News and the actionthat needs to be taken. (Annexure-29A). The MCMC shall see all the newspapers, printmedia, electronic media, cable network, mobile network and other modes of masscommunication, like bulk SMSs etc., (Annexure 63) and keep record of the advertisements,advertorials, messages, discussions and interviews relating to the candidates and parties.This committee will submit a Daily Report with respect to each candidate in a format givenin Annexure-12 to the accounting team with copy to RO and Expenditure Observer withrespect to expenditure incurred by the candidate on election advertising including theassessed cases of Paid News, along with supportive paper cuttings/clippings, recordings ofrelevant TV and Radio advertisements, which will also be included in the ShadowObservation Register. The RO will issue notice to the candidate with regard to theincidents of Paid News in consultation with the Expenditure Observer for not showingthe expenditure on such publication. The Expenditure Observer shall send a report of PaidNews along with copy thereof to the Election Commission within 24 hours.4.12.2. The CEO shall obtain standard rate cards from the TV channels/Radio Channels/ NewsPapers, broadcasting/circulated in the State/ UT, six months before due date of expiry of LokSabha/State/UT assembly. Such rate cards will be given to the Accounting Team forcalculation of rates of advertisements. The Accounting Team will calculate the expenditureinvolved at the DAVP/DPIR rate, whichever is lower, and will mention it in the ShadowObservation Register. The Expenditure Observer will bring such discrepancies to the noticeof the candidate/his election agent at the time of inspection and mention the discrepancies inthe expenditure on account of Paid News in the remarks column of the Register of electionexpenses of the candidate.4.12.3. The copies of all such notices along with the paid news should be displayed in the noticeboard of R.O and the District Election Website/ CEO Website. The copies of the same canbe given to any member of public on payment of Rs.1/- per page.4.12.4. In case of dispute by the candidate in admitting the expenditure on account of paid news,such cases may be considered in appeal by the State level committee already envisaged inCommission’s circular dated 8 th June 2010, which has been again expanded andreconstituted, and the membership notified by Commission’s separate circular vide letter no.491/Media/2009 dated 18.03.2011 (Annexure 29B). This Committee at the state level willtake appropriate steps, after submission of Abstract Statement of the Account by thecandidate and the DEO`s report. The State level Committee may dispose of the cases ofappeal appropriately or refer to Commission, if they feel the need to do so.4.12.5. In order to bring uniformity in dealing with the instances of alleged Paid News andadvertisements on TV/Cable Channels owned by political parties or their functionaries/office bearers, the Commission vide its letter No. 491/Media/2011(Advt, dated 16-08-2011(Annexure 29 C) has directed the CEOs of all the states to issue the following guidelines: -21