योग्य कथन/ने ओळखा.
(a) प्रतिस्पर्धी वृत्तपत्रात राजकीय बातम्या समान सामग्रीसह प्रकाशित होतात, अशा अहवालांना पेड न्यूज म्हणून सुचविले जाते.
(b) नामांकन अर्ज भरणे बाकी असलेल्या उमेदवाराच्या निवडणुकीतील यशाचा अंदाज लावणे हे पेड न्यूजचे सूचक आहे.
पर्यायी उत्तरे :

The correct answer is Option C (Both (a) and (b)).

Key Points:
• The Press Council of India (PCI) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) have framed comprehensive guidelines to identify and curb Paid News (any news or analysis appearing in print or electronic media for price in cash or kind):
• Key Indicators/Characteristics of Paid News identified by the PCI/ECI:
• 1. Identical political reports, articles, or interviews appearing verbatim or with near-identical content and headlines in competing newspapers on the same dates strongly indicate syndicated paid content -> Statement (a) is correct.
• 2. Overwhelmingly glowing coverage projecting victory or creating an artificial wave for a political figure who has not even formally filed nomination papers or launched a campaign suggests sponsored propaganda -> Statement (b) is correct.
• Therefore, Both (a) and (b) are correct.
• Key Takeaway: Identical coverage in competing papers and pre-nomination victory projections are recognized indicators of paid news.