The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has approved a 26% increase in advertisement rates for print media to strengthen the media ecosystem and ensure essential revenue support. The revision has enhanced the media rates for black-and-white print advertisements from Rs 47.40 to Rs 59.68 per sq. cm. for one lakh copies of dailies, along with agreed recommendations for premium rates for colour advertisements and preferential positioning.
The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), which undertakes government publicity campaigns across media platforms, has been empanelling print publications for this purpose, as per media reports.
The Ministry has noted that the revision has come on the basis of recommendations of the 9th Rate Structure Committee, which has examined inputs from various print associations between November 2021 and August 2023 and submitted its report in September 2023. The government has last revised the CBC advertisement rates in January 2019 after the 8th Rate Structure Committee’s recommendations were adopted.
The I&B Ministry has further stated that the decision has aimed to support print media facing increased costs and growing competition from digital platforms. It has said that higher advertising rates have helped sustain operations, preserve quality journalism, and promote local news initiatives by improving the financial stability of publishers.
The Ministry has also maintained that enhanced revenue support has allowed print media to invest in stronger content offerings and remain an effective part of a diversified media ecosystem, ensuring government communication has reached citizens across platforms efficiently.
