Addressing media persons at a news conference at the district information office in Mangalore on Sunday, Mr. Gupta said that any kind of media publicity material concerning election campaign by political parties and candidates is required to be previewed by the Committee be headed by him.
“We will monitor the media content. There cannot be any appeal on caste or communal lines. There is no room for personal attacks and unsubstantial claims either. The candidates will have to take clearance from us and produce before us the expenses details of the advertisements. They have to inform as to what kind of ad are they publishing or telecasting in which media and the number of times it will be aired/published, besides telling us the cost of the same. Only then will the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee certify the ad”, Mr. Gupta said.
The Committee will monitor content being published/ telecasted in newspapers and 8 local TV channels through the media surveillance set up at the district information office 24x7. In case they come across any suspicious content or publicity material which has gone in without their notice, would be enquired about from the concerned media outlet, Mr. Gupta said. Paid news will be strictly monitored as well, he added.
Shedding more light on code of conduct, Mr. Gupta said that people have a misconception that banners and publicity material can be put up on private buildings. “Banners and such material cannot be put up even on private building if it is in the public view, because then it turns into a public place. No transport can be arranged for voters on the polling day as well as that will amount to bribery. However, if political parties or candidates want to bring people to attend their public programmes in buses and other vehicles, they will have to inform us in advance. Besides no road show with people standing on a moving vehicle is allowed. Moving vehicles with microphones are prohibited as well”, he said.
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