It will be the duty of the Press to give objective reports about elections and the candidates. The newspapers are not expected to indulge in unhealthy election campaigns, exaggerated reports about any candidate/party or incident during the elections. In practice, two or three closely contesting candidates attract all the media attention. While reporting on the actual campaign, a newspaper may not leave out any important point raised by a candidate and make an attack on his or her opponent.
Election campaign along communal or caste lines is banned under the election rules. Hence, the Press should eschew reports, which tend to promote feelings of enmity or hatred between people on the ground of religion, race, caste, community or language.
The Press should refrain from publishing false or critical statements in regard to the personal character and conduct of any candidate or in relation to the candidature or withdrawal of any candidate or his candidature, to prejudice the prospects of that candidate in the elections. The Press shall not publish unverified allegations against any candidate/party.
The Press shall not accept any kind of inducement, financial or otherwise, to project a candidate/party. It shall not accept hospitality or other facilities offered to them by or on behalf of any candidate/party.
The Press is not expected to indulge in canvassing of a particular candidate/party. If it does, it shall allow the right of reply to the other candidate/party.
The Press shall not accept/publish any advertisement at the cost of public exchequer regarding achievements of a party/ government in power.
The Press shall observe all the directions/ orders/instructions of the Election Commission/Returning Officers or Chief Electoral Officer issued from time to time.
‘Norms of Journalistic Conduct- 2020’
Newspaper should specifically mention “Marketing Initiative” on Supplement/special edition itself to distinguish them from various reports.
The newspaper should not mis-construe or misquote the statements given by leader. The statements quoted in editorial should project the true spirit of what is being tried to be conveyed by them.
Columns of news items which largely indicate names of voters on Caste basis and supporters of the candidate of particular political party, such tenor and manner of presentation of news establish the report to be paid news.
Political news published in competing newspaper with similar content strongly suggests such reports to be paid news.
Two newspapers publishing same news item verbatim during election days is not accidental and it is evident that such news items have been published for consideration.
Manner of presentation of a news item that to in a favor of a particular party as also the appeal for voting in a favor of a particular party is suggestive of paid news.
Projecting a candidate’s success in Election who is yet to file a nomination is suggestive of paid news.
News Reports on Campaign meeting and states enthusiasm because film stars were present cannot be termed as paid news.
While covering news on election, the newspapers are advised to ensure balance in publishing report/interview of candidates.
During the course of election, subject to conditions laid down by the Election Commission of India, newspapers are free to make an honest assessment of prospects of candidates or the parties and its publication would not be paid news so long it is not established that consideration passed on for such publication.
Newspapers shall not publish any news survey predicting the victory of any political party without verification of it.
(Source: Press Information Bureau, GoI)
