The Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Mrs Ambika Soni has said that paid news is affecting the very roots of the democratic system. Inaugurating the 125th anniversary of a Malayalam Daily Deepika last 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 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 Minister announced that classes will begin at the Kottayam chapter of Indian Institute of Mass Communication, next August.