House panel seeks report on paid news

The parliamentary standing committee on information technology has sought a report on the action taken by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and I&B ministry to curb paid news.

The parliamentary standing committee on information technology has sought a report on the action taken by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and I&B ministry to curb paid news.

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The panel has also called for action on a priority basis on issues such as cross-holdings in the media. It also urged prompt action to prevent a “monopolistic” trend in the media.

The panel asked the ministry to take measures before the country heads for the general election in 2014. The ministry had asked TRAI to examine the issue of paid news twice in the past four years. The government is believed to have planned several steps to curb the menace.