No exit polls before the elections — PCI

About pre-poll surveys, it said the newspapers should take care to preface such surveys conspicuously by indicating the institutions that have carried them.

The newspapers should also mention the individuals and organisations which have commissioned the surveys, the size and nature of sample selected, the method of selection of the sample for the findings and also the possible margin of error in the findings, it said.

The Council said the press should also eschew reports which tend to promote feelings of enmity or hatred between people on the ground of region, religion, race, caste, community or language.

It also asked the newspapers to refrain frompublishing false or critical statements with regard to the personal character and conduct of any candidate or in relation to the candidature or withdrawal of any candidate, and not print unverified allegations against any candidate or party.

Asking the press to give objective reports about the election and the candidates, the PCI said newspapers are not expected to indulge in unhealthy election campaigns, exaggerated reports about any candidate, party or incident during the elections.

Conceding that in practice, two or three closely contesting candidates attract all the media attention, it said newspapers should not leave out any important point raised by a candidate.

It also said the press should not accept any kind of inducement, financial or otherwise, to project a party or a candidate.

“The press is not expected to indulge in canvassing of a particular candidate or party. If it does, it shall allow the right of reply to the other side also,” according to the guidelines.

The Council alsocautioned against accepting or publishing any advertisement at the cost of the Public Exchequer regarding achievements of a party in power.