CHENNAI: The State Election Commission has warned media houses not to telecast or broadcast political advertisements in electronic, social media and print media without approval. In a letter to the all media channels, the Chief Electoral Officer, Satyabrata Sahoo stated that it has been brought to the notice of the EC that political parties are telecasting, broadcasting their political advertisements in electronic and social media without the approval or prior approval of State Level Media Certification and Monitoring Committee. Unless the contents of political advertisement get approved by MCMC, no certification number will be given for telecast or broadcast along with advertisement in electronic and social media.
Citing an order of Supreme Court dated April 13, 2004, CEC stated that where EC is satisfied that there is a violation of the verdict or under any provisions of the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995, it will issue an order to the violator to forthwith stop such violations and it will also be open to direct seizure of the equipments.
Every order shall be promptly complied with by those persons on whom such an order is issued.
If any of the political advertisements is continuously telecast/webcast or played through electronic, social or print media, the matter will be brought to the notice of the EC immediately and appropriate action will be initiated as per law, he added.
