'Paid news' cases surge dramatically in 2024-25: PCI

The Press Council of India (PCI) has reported a significant surge in paid news complaints, with a total of 468 cases recorded over the past three years and the current year 2024-25, according to media reports. 

According to the data released by PCI, 74 cases of paid news were reported in 2021-22, which slightly increased to 76 cases in 2022-23. However, the number dropped to 28 cases in 2023-24. In a startling development, the current year (2024-25) has already witnessed a dramatic spike, with 290 cases reported so far, seeing a 936.7% rise.

Rajasthan has reportedly emerged as a significant contributor to these figures. In 2021-22, the state accounted for 13 complaints of paid news, while in 2024-25, this number soared to 111 cases. 

Paid News has been defined by PCI as “Any news or analysis appearing in any media (print and electronic) for a price in cash or kind as a consideration”.

This further has three dimensions, as per PCI. Firstly, in the case of paid news during the elections, the reader or the viewer does not get a correct picture of the personality or performance of the candidate in whose favour or against he decides to cast his vote. This destroys the very essence of democracy.

Further, contesting candidates perhaps do not show it in the election’s expenses account thereby violating The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, framed by the Election Commission of India under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Additionally, the newspapers which received the money in cash but did not disclose it in their official statements of accounts violate the Companies Act, 1956 as well as the Income Tax Act, 1961 besides other laws.

The Press Council of India (PCI) takes action on the cases of paid news in print media reported by the Election Commission of India or general public under Regulation 14 of the Press Council (Procedure for Inquiry) Regulations, 1979 for violations of its “Norms of Journalistic Conduct” relating to paid news.

The Election Commission of India has established mechanisms at the national, state and district levels to receive complaints relating to ‘Paid News’ and take action thereon.