Political advertisement, paid news to be closely watched: DEO Ronald Rose

Hyderabad: District Election Officer and Media Certification and Media Monitoring (MCMC) Committee Chairman Ronald Rose has called for a close watch on political advertisement and paid news in the run-up to elections.

Rose chaired a meeting which was attended by Hyderabad District Collector and District Deputy Election Officer Anudeep Durishetti. MCMC Committee members also were present in the meeting.

Ronald Rose said the district MCMC committee has been constituted as per the instructions of the Election Commission. According to the election code of conduct, special attention would be given to advertisements and paid news. Besides, a control room has been set up at the GHMC head office to record the news broadcast in the electronic media.

GHMC Chief PRO, who is the member secretary, should identify the speeches as per the rules and other news that are against the rules and identify them as suspicious paid news and issue notices to the concerned persons or parties. The details of the notices should be sent to the Election Commission every week.

Similarly, to examine the political advertisements and paid news in the print media without permission, some newspapers are also required to examine the online newspapers by constituencies. The CPRO was also instructed to arrange the required staff for that. An expert has been ordered to be specially hired for social media monitoring.

Candidates contesting in the context of elections are advised to take prior permission. Permission can be taken from GHMC Head Office CPRO section.

He said that permission would be given within 24 hours of application. The district election officer stated that permission should be taken for print electronic media, social media advertisements, and audio and video display vehicles for advertisements. Print and electronic media have been asked not to broadcast any advertisements without the permission of ANCMC.