The ghost of paid news has struck for real in the run-up to the Punjab elections. First, 523 cases of alleged paid were registered against candidates. Out of these 339 were issued notices. Now, in 201 cases candidates have acknowledged that they did pay for news. These candidates have agreed to add these amounts into their expenditure accounts. In 74 cases, candidates have denied the allegations and in 38 cases among these, either the candidates or the media houses have challenged the allegations. (The Indian Express)