Press clubs throughout the country usually charge a fee for hosting press conferences. In self-interest, they normally exclude office bearers of political parties and VIPs. The fee payable by others has been going up steadily with the clubs becoming more ambitious.

Now a practice is catching up that would not entirely spare the VIPs. Though they will not have to pay, their address to the media may be sponsored by companies or businessmen.

Financially, it works to the advantage of both the sponsors and the press club. With television cameras being present, the sponsors get good publicity. The club makes a substantial sum. A problem would arise only if the television channels fail to broadcast the long shots.

But what is the predicament of the VIP who has been invited to meet the Press. For Chief Minister's Meet the Press Programme sponsored by x and y can embarrass the Chief Minister. X and y can be a tainted company or person. The sponsor may be one against whom the Government would have had initiated some legal proceedings.

Under such a circumstance, won't the journalists refrain from asking any questions that may embarrass the sponsors? Won't they try to highlight the achievements of the companies during the Programme, if possible? The answers may vary from clubs to individuals. However, sponsored press conferences cannot be dismissed as a necessary evil, even if journalists may claim that the sponsors do not influence them. It is another form of embedded journalism with ill effects on good journalism.