Print wins

IN Media Watch Briefs | 05/04/2014

The Election Commission says the BJP manifesto release on April 7 cannot be telecast till 6 pm of April 12, prior to the second round of polling. But the print medium can cover it. Section 126(i)(b) of The Representation of The People Act, 1951 bars telecasting election matters of parties during 48 hours till end of polling on 10th. But surely use of either print or TV, both amount to publicizing election matters? Then why this restriction only on TV? Is it restricting use of websites or social media? Its ban may need a re-look.

TAGS

Print wins

Subscribe To The Newsletter

Media Watch Briefs

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.