The government has approved a 26 percent increase in advertising rates for print media. Specifically, the cost per square centimeter for black and white advertisements in dailies printing one lakh copies has risen from Rs. 47.40 to Rs. 59.68, reflecting the 26 percent hike. 

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also accepted the Committee's suggestions regarding premium charges for color advertisements and preferred placement. 

The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), a key media unit under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is responsible for executing publicity campaigns for Indian government ministries and departments across various media, including those print outlets registered with the CBC. 

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The current advertising rates for print media used by the CBC were last updated by the Ministry on January 9, 2019, based on the findings of the 8th Rate Structure Committee (RSC), and these rates were in effect for three years.

A committee, designated as the 9th Rate Structure Committee and chaired by AS&FA (I&B), was established on November 11, 2021. Its mandate was to propose adjustments to the pricing of government advertisements placed in print publications.

Between November 2021 and August 2023, the Committee reviewed submissions from diverse newspaper groups, including those categorized as small, medium, and large, such as the Indian Newspaper Society (INS), the All India Small Newspapers Association (AISNA), and the Small-Medium-Big Newspapers Society (SMBNS), along with other interested parties. 

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The Committee also examined various factors influencing print media advertisement rates, including wholesale price index inflation for newsprint, labor costs, general inflation rates, fluctuations in imported newsprint prices, and production expenses. The Committee presented its findings and suggestions on September 23, 2023.

Raising the prices for government advertisements in print publications could bring about several important advantages for both the government and the media industry.

 

Increased rates for these ads would offer crucial financial backing to print media, particularly given the current competition from numerous other media sources and the rising costs experienced in recent years. 

This support could help maintain operations, uphold high standards of journalism, and bolster local news projects. By improving financial resilience, print media outlets can allocate resources towards superior content, ultimately better serving the public's needs. 

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Adjusting advertisement rates upwards can also be consistent with general shifts in how people consume media. Acknowledging the importance of print media within a varied media environment allows the government to refine its communication approaches, ensuring messages effectively reach the populace through diverse channels.