The Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Mrs Ambika Soni today observed that paid news is affecting the very roots of the democratic system inf the country.

Inaugurating the 125th anniversary of Malayalam Daily Deepika in Thrissur this evening, Mrs Ambika Soni called upon journalists and newspaper managements to ensure that the chair of the editor is more important than that of the commercial manager.

She observed that an independent and pluralistic media that truly provides information to its citizens is the corner stone of a robust democratic polity. She said the society will feel stifled and dissatisfied it it is prevented from free flow of information, or people do not have the freedom to express themselves.

The Union Minister said, the HRD Ministry and the Ministry of I&B have jointly set up a panel of experts that will look into the issue of certification provided by mushrooming schools of journalism. Mrs Ambika Soni announced that classes will begin at the Kottayam chapter of Indian Institute of Mass Communication, next August.