NEW DELHI: The information and broadcasting ministry issued the print media advertisement policy 2020, effective from 1 August 2020. The objective of the policy guidelines is to maintain a list of approved publications for release of advertisements by empanelling acceptable publications. The bureau of communication and outreach (BOC) will empanel publications which are found suitable for the issue of advertisements of the government of India.
Publications have been divided into three categories: small publications (circulation up to 25,000 copies per publishing day), medium publications (circulation between 25,001 and 75,000 copies per publishing day) and big publications (circulation of above 75,000 copies per publishing day).
The policy further explains the procedure of empanelment of publication. It states that there shall be a panel advisory committee (PAC) for considering applications of publications: The composition of the committee will be additional director general (MR & C), BOC- chairman; additional director general (media & communication) in the press information bureau (PIB) – member; press registrar/additional press registrar- member; director/deputy secretary/under secretary in the ministry of information and broadcasting dealing with print media – member; additional director general/director, BOC, in charge of print media policy as convener/member secretary and one representative each from the big, medium and small category of newspapers nominated by the ministry of information and broadcasting–non-official member. The tenure of the non-official member of the PAC would be two years from the date of their nomination by the government.
The guideline discusses the advertising rates too. It says that the rate structure for advertisements against advertisements released by BOC will be worked out as per recommendations of the rate structure committee. The rates will be related to certified circulation of a publication. It further states that the payment against advertisements released by BOC will be worked out as per rate for advertisements in print media issued by the ministry of information and broadcasting dated 8 January 2019 or any subsequent order in this regard. The rates for advertisements by Maharatna and Navratna public sector undertakings (PSUs) will be 1.5 times the normal BOC rates. For advertisements of other PSUs, normal BOC rates will apply. And lastly, it says that the rates will be valid for three years from the date of revision.
In the rate contract section, the draft further reads that all empanelled publications will enter into rate contract with BOC on the basis of rate offered and other terms and conditions, as laid down from time to time, to ensure proper and timely publication of BOC advertisements. The rate contract will be valid for a period of two years.
It specifies if the publication is found to have deliberately submitted false information regarding circulation or If the publication is found to have discontinued its publication, changed its periodicity or its title or have become irregular in publication or changed its address of publication without due intimation and more then it can be suspended from empanelment by Pr. DG/DG, BOC with immediate effect for a period up to twelve months.
