<p>The matter was raised by Brinda Karat (CPI-M) during Zero Hour and was supported by members cutting across party lines.<br /><br />Karat said PCI is suppressing vital information of paid news "scandal".<br /><br />She said a sub-committee of PCI had produced a 72-page report on the menace. But instead of making the report public, efforts are being made to remove the names big media houses, which indulged in cash for news.<br /><br />"It would be tragic if a watchdog is reduced to lapdog of big corporate houses," she said.<br />Demanding the government's intervention, Karat said the so-called private treaties are being resorted to between the corporate and media houses and newspaper space was given in exchange of company shares, which is violation of SEBI rules.<br /><br />Noting that PCI was set up through an act of Parliament, Karat said its report should be placed before the House.<br /><br />"Parliament cannot remain silent when free press is subdued," she said.<br /><br />S S Ahluwalia (BJP) said the unedited version of the report should be placed before Parliament.<br /><br />Eminent journalist H K Dua (Nom) said PCI should not be a party to not letting out the 72-page report. He said the report is not being released because it carries the names of proprietors.<br /><br />Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan observed that the entire House associates with the issue.</p>
<p>The matter was raised by Brinda Karat (CPI-M) during Zero Hour and was supported by members cutting across party lines.<br /><br />Karat said PCI is suppressing vital information of paid news "scandal".<br /><br />She said a sub-committee of PCI had produced a 72-page report on the menace. But instead of making the report public, efforts are being made to remove the names big media houses, which indulged in cash for news.<br /><br />"It would be tragic if a watchdog is reduced to lapdog of big corporate houses," she said.<br />Demanding the government's intervention, Karat said the so-called private treaties are being resorted to between the corporate and media houses and newspaper space was given in exchange of company shares, which is violation of SEBI rules.<br /><br />Noting that PCI was set up through an act of Parliament, Karat said its report should be placed before the House.<br /><br />"Parliament cannot remain silent when free press is subdued," she said.<br /><br />S S Ahluwalia (BJP) said the unedited version of the report should be placed before Parliament.<br /><br />Eminent journalist H K Dua (Nom) said PCI should not be a party to not letting out the 72-page report. He said the report is not being released because it carries the names of proprietors.<br /><br />Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan observed that the entire House associates with the issue.</p>