Concern was voiced in the Lower House of the Indian Parliament Friday over "paid news" becoming an epidemic in the media with an independent member
seeking urgent intervention by the Press Council of India and the Election Commission to set things right.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Tarun Mandal said "paid news" was a "fraud on the people" and was spreading in a menacing proportion in the media, undermining democracy.
"First it was an aberration, then it became a disease and now it has taken the form of an epidemic", he said alleging that one of the biggest media houses was also indulging in such practices.
Noting that "paid news" is being practised in a highly organised manner both in the print and electronic media, he said that advertisement is being doled out in the form of news and views.
Candidates spending money on paid news do not show them in their expenses account and the media companies also do not show the amount in their books in violation of the law, he said.