Large scale practice of 'paid news' is reported in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections.In Gujarat, 126 confirmed cases of paid news were reported whereas in Himachal Pradesh 91 such cases reported in the Assembly elections.

The Chief Election Commissioner, V S Sampath told reporters in New Delhi yesterday that while 444 suspected cases of paid news were reported in Gujarat, notices were sent to 224 of them. In Himachal Pradesh polls, the Commission came across 211 suspected cases of paid news and notices were sent in 190 cases. Meanwhile, a fact- finding team of the Press Council of India (PCI) has also claimed that there has been large-scale practice of 'paid news' in the Gujarat elections. PCI Chairperson Justice Markandey Katju said that the information provided by the panel, appointed by him, only shows that self regulation by media was proving to be ineffective. He said the prevalence of paid news as shocking and very disturbing.