Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, March 17: Jharkhand Journalist Association organized a workshop for the journalists of Kolhan at Nirmal Guesthouse, Bistupur, on Sunday. Model Code of Conduct and Election Commission of India�s instructions regarding paid news were discussed at length by the participants.
The chief guest of the occasion was the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer of East Singhbhum Amit Kumar.
Addressing the gathering, the DC said a district level committee had been formed for the screening of paid news in East Singhbhum ahead of Lok Sabha elections. The committee members keep close watch on daily news published and aired in the city. They have a duty of informing the district administration about paid news identified by them, said Kumar.
The DC said the style of writing of news items itself distinguishes paid news from other news. He said news published before elections should not be such as to influence public opinion. Election Commission is also keeping an eye on social media. The candidates should use it but should also mention the same in their election expenses, he said.
The programme was conducted by Raghvendra Sharma while a vote of thanks was proposed by Raghuvanshmani Singh. Many journalists of Jamshedpur, Chandil, Rajnagar and adjoining areas were present during the workshop.
The DC said the expenses of advertisements carrying photo of election candidates would be added to their election expenses. From this election, candidates will have to get advertisements regarding their criminal antecedents published thrice in local newspapers.