The newspaper world has been cast into turmoil over the last few weeks. First, there was the furore, within media circles, over The Times of India group deploying ‘paid content’ — or what in plain words means — selling news.

The group has a division called Medianet complete with a rate card for the sale of news.

For lay readers, it must be clarified that the sale of news is different and distinct from paid advertisements, advertorials or special supplements, all of which are clearly identified as ‘sponsored features,’ while paid news is not.




Such spurious news has included gushing endorsements of flop movies, fashion and lifestyle products and the promotion of hotels and restaurants that enter into a payment arrangement with the organisation.

The reader has no clue that the adulatory report is nothing but a paid advertisement masquerading as objective reportage or opinion.

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