New Delhi: Paid, fake news, sensationalist content practices by news channels and digital disruption among other key issues are to be discussed as the parliament standing committee on communications and information technology meets on Friday to review the implementation of media laws in the country.
Led by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, the panel is expected to discuss issues such as rampant paid news, fake news, the focus on sensationalism by many TV news channels, and the struggles of traditional newspapers due to digital disruption and declining readership, Times of India has reported.
Media trails, TRP hogging to be taken up
The panel may also raise concerns about the excessive focus on crime and celebrity news, which often comes at the expense of more important and serious reporting, as some channels resort to sensationalism in the race for TRPs.
According to the report, media trials in high-profile cases can influence public opinion and even impact legal proceedings, making it an issue the committee cannot ignore. The meeting is also expected to address how TV debates frequently devolve into shouting matches and mud-slinging.
The committee is also expected to address the challenges posed by expensive and prolonged legal battles faced by journalists and media houses, which act as a deterrent to investigative journalism.
Additionally, the report highlights the severe financial crisis affecting regional and vernacular media, along with the growing menace of fake news, which has been particularly disruptive during elections.
Another key concern is the control of social media by large foreign-based corporate firms, as unchecked influence could cause significant harm to society, political leaders, political parties, and even the country itself.
The committee is expected to hear from key officials, including the Information and Broadcasting Secretary, the CEO of Prasar Bharati, the Press Registrar General, and the Chairperson of the Press Council of India.
Discussions may also cover the evolution of media-related laws and regulations, tracing back to the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act of 1867, which was later replaced by the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023.
Additionally, the panel is likely to examine the functioning of the Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory quasi-judicial body operating under the Press Council of India Act, 1978.
