Generous MLA

IN Media Watch Briefs | 22/07/2015

The Indian Express reports that a BJP MLA from Anupgarh constituency Rajasthan, has been videographed revealing that she sent envelopes containing cash to all journalists in her constituency before the 2013 Assembly polls. The revelation was reportedly made at a recent event that local journalists organised "to honour her for facilitating allotment of plots of land for journalists in the district" (!). She said that 3 journalists had returned the envelopes containing Rs 11,000 in cash, saying that they would take it if she won! The MLA has said the video is doctored.

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Amazon resisting voluntary censorship

The new term for self censorship is voluntary censorship, as proposed by companies like Netflix and Hotstar. ET reports that streaming video service Amazon Prime is opposing a move by its peers to adopt a voluntary censorship code in anticipation of the Indian government coming up with its own rules. Amazon is resisting because it fears that it may alienate paying subscribers.

Let the games begin

Clearly, the run to the 2019 elections is on. A journalist received a call from someone saying they were from Aajtak channel and were conducting a survey, asking whom she was going to vote for in 2019. On being told that her vote was secret, the caller assumed she wasn't going to vote for 'Modiji'. The caller, a woman, also didn't identify herself. A month or two earlier the same journalist received a call, this time from a man, asking if she was going to vote for the BSP.