The Press Council of India, PCI has formed a four-member committee to investigate the practice of paid news and keep a tab on any other attempt to affect the freedom of the press during the elections in Gujarat.

PCI chairperson Justice Markandey Katju said in New Delhi the convener of the committee is authorised to appoint sub-committees and distribute work among the members in any manner he deems fit.

Explaining its reason to form the committee, the PCI said that the Election Commission has detected a large number of cases of paid news in the recent Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. The Commission said paid news can result in cancellation of an election result, and the election result of one person declared elected in the UP Legislative Assembly elections was cancelled on this ground.