Mohan Alva stresses on upholding integrity of news amid rise of paid news

Renowned figure Mohan Alva recently underscored the critical need to preserve the integrity of news in the age of paid news. Speaking on the matter, Alva expressed concern over how paid news is eroding the core values of journalism by blurring the lines between news and advertisements. He stressed that the practice not only compromises journalistic ethics but also undermines the credibility of media outlets.

Paid news refers to the practice where media outlets accept monetary compensation to publish biased or promotional content disguised as legitimate news. This phenomenon has grown particularly rampant during election campaigns, with political candidates and organizations often paying media houses to publish favorable reports. Such content, presented as unbiased news, misleads readers, who may not be aware that what they are consuming is, in fact, a paid advertisement. This undermines the trust that the public places in news outlets and diminishes the authenticity of journalism.

Alva emphasized that it is crucial for both media organizations and journalists to adhere to ethical standards, ensuring that news remains impartial, accurate, and free from external influence. He highlighted that the growing prevalence of paid news is a threat to the very foundation of journalism, where objectivity and transparency should be paramount. Alva’s comments come at a time when the media industry is grappling with increasing pressures to generate revenue while maintaining editorial independence.

In response to the rising trend of paid news, the Press Council of India has implemented guidelines aimed at identifying and preventing such practices. These guidelines are designed to ensure that paid news is clearly distinguishable from genuine reporting, providing readers with transparency about the nature of the content they are consuming. The Election Commission of India has also taken proactive steps, asking the Press Council to draft comprehensive measures to distinguish advertisements from news stories and prevent paid content from being disguised as legitimate journalism.

The issue of paid news poses a significant challenge to the media’s role in shaping public opinion and fostering an informed citizenry. As media outlets face the dilemma of balancing financial pressures with journalistic responsibility, experts like Alva continue to advocate for the protection of journalism’s core values. Upholding the integrity of news, especially in an era of increasing commercialization, remains essential to restoring public trust in the media and ensuring that news continues to serve its true purpose.