New Delhi, Sep 21 (ANI): Emphasising that media is not only a watchdog for citizens' welfare, but also plays a vital role in educating them, Chief Election Commissioner Dr. S.Y.Quraishi on Wednesday said India's media is the strength of the election commission.
Addressing the 44th Convocation of Indian Institute of Mass Communication here, Dr. Quraishi said: "Elections in a democracy are the foundation on which the edifice of governance is built, for the welfare of the people. Election Commission is the Constitutional authority mandated with superintendence, control and direction of elections, which in simple terms, means conduct of free and fair polls that decides the legislature and in turn the executive. These related functions bring EC and media into a collaborative relationship. India's media is the strength of the Election Commission."
"The media has always played and continues to play a very important role in general elections, whether to both the Houses of Parliament, the State Legislatures and to the offices of the President of India and Vice-President of India, in terms of dissemination of information, analysis of the political agenda of the different political parties and contesting candidates, their profiles and prospects etc," he added
He further said that the noteworthy role played by the media from the first general election in 1952 till date has been incessant from patriotic reflections on elections through full page editorials to opinion and exit polls to marathon talk shows on the day of counting of votes.
"Though the commission does not have a statement of media policy, it has evolved a set of functions in relation to media over the years. These are still evolving keeping pace with the dynamism of the election process and the developments in the media world and media practices," he added.
Further highlighting about some intriguing role played by certain sections of the media in recent times, Dr. Quraishi said: "In an increasingly competitive world of media, we have come across all types of news - Morning News, Evening News, Prime-time News, Headline News, Latest News, Breaking News, 24 Hour News etc. Now we hear about something referred to as Paid News, which is a complex menace for elections, as I am sure it is a menace in other areas of life too. "
"The commission is concerned about it and right now grappling with it. It is defined by the Press Council of India as 'any news or analysis appearing in any media (print and electronic) for a price in cash or kind as consideration'. Paid News seeks to circumvent election expenditure laws or ceiling, causes undue influence on voters and also affects their Right to Information. There have been discussions in Parliament and within the Government on this. Press Council of India has made studies in the matter," he added. (ANI)
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