Throughout the 2025-2026 assembly elections, the Press Council of India (PCI) has taken aggressive stances to protect democratic integrity from “Paid News” and surrogate political advertising. The PCI issued strict directives to print media to follow the Norms of Journalistic Conduct during recent polls in Delhi, Bihar, and West Bengal.

The Bharat Media Association supports this regulatory vigilance. Unregulated paid news destroys media credibility and misleads voters, making robust PCI enforcement absolutely essential for maintaining an objective, uncompromised press during India’s crucial state elections.