Paid news in India

Paid news is the practice of cash payment or its equivalent to journalists and media organizations by individuals and organizations in order to appear in their news articles and to "ensure sustained positive coverage". In India, paid news emerged as a widespread organized activity in India in 1990s through formal contracts and "private treaties". Pioneered by Bennett, Coleman & Company, Ltd. (B.C.C.L.) group through their Times of India publication, and widely adopted by groups such as The Hindustan Times, Outlook and others, the practice was brought to attention by a 2010 buried investigative report of the Press Council of India on paid news financially benefiting "individual journalists and specific media organizations" such as newspapers, magazines and television channels. The scandal implicated major newspapers and brought western media attention.

It is paid for by politicians, organizations (for profit and non-profit), brands, movies and celebrities who seek to improve their public image, increase favorable coverage and suppress unfavorable information.

The widespread "paid news" practice in India has been criticized because it diverts the coverage to whoever is willing to pay and selectively presents information that makes the paying customer appear in a favorable light, instead of presenting everything that is significant and necessary for the public to obtain a complete understanding. The information which needs to be delivered to the audience is somehow changed . Paid news corrupts the information and deceives the newspaper-magazine reader or the television audience, particularly given the Indian practice of "not making it clear that the news item has been paid for", state James Painter and John Lloyd.