Paid News seems to be much more expensive than advertisements because it is an advertisement in the garb of News or articles which appear on the front or middle page. Such reports appear mostly on the eve of elections (Smarter ones do it much earlier so that there won’t be any room for suspicion) May be there are others, besides certain politicians, who take advantage of this facility. Anyway these people believe that when advertisement comes in the form of news, it is more credible But still, most of the readers prefer ‘hot news’ (Scandals and seams). Then how on earth, are they going to benefit from paid news?
“Let us hurry, they will give us a sari and a hand bagâ€
“Yes, I know. But we will have ti sit in the open air for 6 hours….Shouting, Down Down. Then, there will be a feastâ€
“A lucky week this. Next Sunday it will be a procession. We will have to carry their flag… Each will get Rs.100/-â€
These women were engaged by different political parties for protest rallies and what they call ‘Sit in’…
A different version of paid news!.. or shall we call paid Protests?
I’m reminded of Charles Osgood’s statement that “It was while making newspaper deliveries, trying to miss the bushes and hit the porch, that I first learned the importance of accuracy in journalism.”