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-The Hindu
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The Election Commission on Wednesday said that paid news was a very &quot;complex problem&quot; and it had taken the issue seriously to ensure a level-playing field to all political parties and candidates in the elections to the Legislative Assembly on May 5.
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Addressing a media workshop on electoral process here, Director-General at the Election Commission, Akshay Rout, said: &quot;Paid news is a complex issue and it had disturbed the political arena. Paid news gives a candidate an undue advantage over his poll rivals and also violated the Right to Information Act. But there is no clinching evidence to take action against paid news.&quot;
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Noting that the &quot;print and electronic media are eyes and ears on the ground&quot; to the commission, Mr. Rout said: &quot;We will take suo motu complaint based on media reports on violation of model of code of conduct during the election process.&quot;
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Unaccounted money was being spent through paid news and it was not a healthy trend for political parties, governments, and the economy, he said.
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