Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
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Poll panel tells SC that it can’t be allowed as free speech Repeated publication of propaganda lauding the achievements of a candidate in an election is nothing but “paid news”, the Election Commission of India has told the Supreme Court. Politicians cannot say that it is part of their fundamental right to free speech to spew out “motivated propaganda”. The EC has asked the court to declare whether it amounts to “paid news” if widely circulated daily newspapers cover statements issued by, and in the name of, a candidate that are not only laudatory of his or her record and achievements but also are a direct appeal to voters by the candidate. ‘Unequal advantage’ “If such motivated propaganda is allowed in the garb of free speech during the election period, candidates with a strong network of connections and undefined relationships will exploit their sphere of influence in society and will have the unequal advantage of encashing such silent services,” the EC, represented by advocate Amit Sharma, said in a special leave petition. The commission has moved the court in appeal against a decision of the Delhi High Court on May 18 to set aside the disqualification of Madhya Pradesh BJP leader Narottam Mishra. The commission’s National Level Committee on Paid News found that five newspapers, with a wide circulation, had published 42 news items that were “biased and one-sided and aimed at furthering the prospects of Mr. Mishra”. Some of the reports were advertisements in favour of him. The committee concluded that the items fitted the definition of “paid news”.
