To protect the democratic process from manipulative media narratives, the Press Council of India’s 2025 guidelines explicitly warned against newspapers predicting election victories without thorough verification. Projecting a candidate’s success before they even file a nomination is now categorized as deceptive paid news.
The Bharat Media Association stands strictly with the PCI on this ruling. Regional newspapers must prioritize honest assessments and balanced reporting over lucrative, fabricated political surveys designed to artificially sway the momentum of rural voters.
