The first Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) meeting was held here under the Chairmanship of Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan in the presence of ADM Bhaskar Chandra Raita, ADM Trinath Majhi, Deputy Collector Suryamani Bhoi, Vijay Naik, Chinmay Mahanand, Assistant Collector Mutanjay Barala, Sushmita Patnaik, member of MCMC senior journalist Baldal Tah, Information Science Officer Gunasekhar and Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations Department Basant Pradhan.

The committee discussed various aspects of paid news in print, electronic, web, social media, local channels, etc. Pradhan was directed to have a meeting at his level to sensitize web reporters, local channel owners, social media bloggers like WhatsApp, Instagram-Facebook and Google, etc
 
“Candidates can advertise in any medium with the certification and permission of the MCMC in a prescribed format. Action will be taken against the news published without permission and the matter will also be informed to Press Council of India. So each member should have a watch on paid news apart from hate speech, rumours like postponement of election, news hurting religious or caste sentiments of any community, instigation to avoid vote en masse in a particular area, etc”, said Mahajan.
 
If a candidate exceeds the limit of expenses prescribed by ECI, the District Election Officer will let the State Chief Election Officer know this who is authorized to take judicious decision, said Mahajan.
 
After the review, he along with the MCMC members inspected the control room, MCMC room and reviewed vigilance and social media functions. He directed the Deputy Director, I&PR Pradhan not to allow outsiders in the rooms, put up a MCMC board/banner outside the room and facilitate receiving applications for certification of advertisements and complaints by citizens.