The directive covers assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry, along with by-polls in several other states.
The Press Council of India (PCI) has issued a formal advisory ahead of the 2026 state elections and by-polls, urging print media to adhere strictly to election reporting standards and the Norms of Journalistic Conduct, 2022.
The directive covers assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry, along with by-polls in several other states. Emphasizing fair and factual reporting, the PCI has cautioned against biased coverage, communal or caste-based narratives, and the publication of unverified allegations.
It also reiterated the legal ban on publishing exit polls during the voting period under the Representation of the People Act. The council raised concerns over “paid news,” highlighting warning signs such as identical reports across publications, premature projections of candidates, one-sided portrayals, and unverified survey data.
Additionally, newspapers have been barred from carrying government-funded advertisements promoting the ruling party’s achievements during elections.
The PCI stressed the importance of offering equal opportunity for response when supporting any candidate and directed all media outlets to comply with further instructions issued by the Election Commission of India.
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