Pci issues notice to dainik jagran for ‘publishing advertisements in the garb of news’

The Press Council of India took suomotu cognizance of_ Dainik Jagran_ for "publishing advertisements in the garb of news" in the New Delhi editions of the newspaper on June 10 and

16. In a statement _issued_ on Thursday, the council said that it had come to its notice that on the concerned dates, the newspaper had "published contents" that are "prima

facie...suggestive of paid advertisements which have been presented as news and thus, appear to violate the Norms of Journalistic Conduct." The statement said that a showcause notice

was being issued to the editor of _Dainik Jagran_, New Delhi. The council did not specify which advertorials to which it was referring. But on June 16, _Jagran_ featured full-page

advertorials about the handling of the pandemic by the Karnataka government and chief minister Yediyurappa. The page had more than five "articles" with a small "Jagran Special

Initiative" at the bottom right. The page described how the government has "saved" lives and livelihoods, helped communities like farmers and daily wagers, and also defeated

Covid. Similar advertorials by the BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka _ran on June 18_ in the _Hindu_,_ Economic Times _and_ New Indian Express_. The advertorial on June 10 might

refer to one about Graphic Era University.