Set UP MCMC Committee For Supervision Of Paid News

Hyderabad, October 12 (Hydnow): Advertisements, print, electronic, social media, audio-video display, and cinema theaters in connection with the campaign activities conducted in the run-up to the Legislative Assembly elections.

Hyderabad District Election Officer, GHMC Commissioner Ronald Rose has clarified that wall writing display vehicles along with video advertisements broadcasted on radio channels, and bulk SMS websites should get permission from the District Election Officer’s office in advance.

 He said that prior permission should be taken for advertising. The Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) will be set up in the CPRO section at GHMC headquarters to identify paid news in various newspapers, print electronic social media. It was revealed that it happened. 

According to Ronald Rose, the Hyderabad District Joint Collector has been appointed to this committee, where the District Election Officer is the Chairman, Deputy Director of the Information Bureau, Senior Journalist, and CPRO of GHMC. It is stated that this committee will monitor any media violations during the elections. It has been stated that all kinds of political advertisements broadcast in electronic media, satellite channels, and local cable networks should be approved by the MCMC Committee, similarly, the announcements in print electronic social media, and other media published on the polling day and the day before the polling should also be given permission. Abstain from attacks on religions and castes, abusive language, inappropriate remarks, incitement to violence, court orders, against the justice system, against the sovereignty and unity of the country in accordance with the rules of conduct of elections.

 It has been clarified that permission for political announcements will be done taking into consideration other factors without insulting the person. Similarly, the printing press should also take permission. Posters and handouts should not be printed. It has been clarified that only the candidates contesting for the assembly seats in the Hyderabad district will be given permission for political advertisements by the MCMC committee of the Hyderabad district. Recognized political parties and registered political parties will have to apply to the state-level MCMC committee regarding political announcements.  

Special surveillance on paid news

The MCMC Committee identifies paid news in any newspaper, electronic media channel, payment of money for social media analysis or inducement, etc. The Election Commission has found that paid news has been at an alarming rate in recent times in relation to personal campaigns by various parties and candidates to influence voters through the media. The Election Commission has set up a special paid news control system to curb these paid news that influence the voters in the field. As a part of this, the District Media Monitoring and Certification Committee established at the district level identifies the paid news and issues notices to the concerned candidate through the returning officers. According to the rate card provided by the Information Department regarding this paid news, notices will be issued through RO to calculate the cost incurred and deposit it in the election expenses of the candidates. A copy of this notice will also be given to the Election Expenditure Scrutineers. The Returning Officer will issue notices to the candidate concerned within 96 hours asking why the paid news expenses broadcast in newspapers or TV channels should not be included in his election expenses. The concerned candidates are required to reply to the notices issued by the Returning Officer on Paid News within 48 hours. If the MCMC Committee is not satisfied with the answers of the candidates, such expenses shall be included in the election expenses of the candidates. However, the candidate will have the opportunity to refer the MCMC decision to the state-level MCMC committee.

Recording of broadcasts of all news channels

District Election Officer Ronald Rose informed that they are recording the news coming in various news channels. All the major channels have clarified that they have taken up the recording of the campaigns conducted by the candidates and parties for all the constituencies in the Hyderabad district. Hyderabad District Election Officer Ronald Rowes said that the expenses related to paid news and advertisements will be included in the election expenses of the candidates from the time the nominations are filed by the candidates contesting the elections.

RECORDING OF BROADCASTS OF ALL NEWS CHANNELS 

District Election Officer Ronald Rose informed that they are recording the news coming in various news channels. All the major channels have clarified that they have taken up the recording of the campaigns conducted by the candidates and parties for all the constituencies in the Hyderabad district. Hyderabad District Election Officer Ronald Rowes said that the expenses related to paid news and advertisements will be included in the election expenses of the candidates from the time the nominations are filed by the candidates contesting the elections. (Hydnow)

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