PCI issues notice to Dainik Jagran for ‘publishing advertisements in the garb of news’
A statement by the council referred to content published in the paper's Delhi edition on June 10 and June 16.
The Press Council of India took suomotu cognizance of Dainik Jagran for "publishing advertisements in the garb of news" in the New Delhi editions of the newspaper on June 10 and 16.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the council said that it had come to its notice that on the concerned dates, the newspaper had "published contents" that are "prima facie...suggestive of paid advertisements which have been presented as news and thus, appear to violate the Norms of Journalistic Conduct."
The statement said that a showcause notice was being issued to the editor of Dainik Jagran, New Delhi.
The council did not specify which advertorials to which it was referring. But on June 16, Jagran featured full-page advertorials about the handling of the pandemic by the Karnataka government and chief minister Yediyurappa. The page had more than five "articles" with a small "Jagran Special Initiative" at the bottom right.
The page described how the government has "saved" lives and livelihoods, helped communities like farmers and daily wagers, and also defeated Covid. Similar advertorials by the BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka ran on June 18 in the Hindu, Economic Times and New Indian Express.
Support Independent Media
The media must be free and fair, uninfluenced by corporate or state interests. That's why you, the public, need to pay to keep news free.
Contribute
The advertorial on June 10 might refer to one about Graphic Era University.
Power NL-TNM Election Fund
General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans together to focus on the issues that really matter to the voter. From political funding to battleground states, media coverage to 10 years of Modi, choose a project you would like to support and power our journalism.
Ground reportage is central to public interest journalism. Only readers like you can make it possible. Will you?