Lok Sabha Question No. 1837 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Financial Impact Analysis of Hike in Advertisement Rates
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar, Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth, Shri Manickam Tagore B

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1837 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025

## FINANCIAL IMPACT ANALYSIS OF HIKE IN ADVERTISEMENT RATES

## 1837.  SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR: SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH: SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be please to state:

- (a) whether the Government intends to clarify the approval of a sudden 26 per cent hike in print-advertisement rates at a time when multiple Ministries are reportedly facing budgetary constraints and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  financial  impact  analysis  on  the manner in which this 26 per cent hike is likely to affect taxpayer expenditure on publicity across Ministries and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has evaluated that this hike disproportionately benefits large media houses over small and medium newspapers and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government is likely to place in the public domain the full report of the  9th  Rate  Structure  Committee  including  dissent  notes  if  any  and  if  so, the  details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the Government has considered the possibility that increased advertisement spending could be used as leverage to influence editorial independence of newspapers and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION & BROADCASTING; AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (e): The Government constituted the 9th Rate Structure Committee (RSC) on 11 November 2021 to examine and recommend revisions in advertisement rates for print media. The Committee consulted a wide range of stakeholders, including the Indian Newspaper Society (INS), All India Small Newspapers Association (AISNA), Small-Medium-Big Newspapers  Society  (SMBNS),  and  other  representatives  of  large,  media  and  small publications. The Committee assessed multiple cost parameters influencing print media operations, such  as  newsprint  cost  escalation,  inflationary  trends,  processing  and  production expenses, employee wage liabilities, imported paper prices and other relevant inputs. Based on these assessments, it submitted unanimous recommendations ,  which were accepted by the Government. The Government has agreed to the recommendations of the Committee including relating to premium rates to be offered for colour advertisements, preferential positioning. The  revision  of  advertisement  rates  is  commensurate  with  rising  input  costs  and increasing competition for the print media from digital platforms. Enhanced  revenue  flows  will  help  sustain  operations  and  strengthen  local  news ecosystems. Improved  financial stability will also enable print media organisations to invest in better content creation, thereby serving public interest more effectively. By  recognising  the  continued  relevance  of  print  media  within  a  diversified  media its landscape, the Government  aims  to  ensure  more  effective dissemination of communication and information to citizens.

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