Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The Jammu Kashmir Press Corps (JKPC) has thrown its weight behind a crucial appeal made by editors of leading newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir, urging the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, to implement DAVP (Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity) rates for government advertisements in the Union Territory.
For years, the media industry in J&K has faced challenges due to the disparity in advertisement rates offered by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR). The rates provided by DIPR are notably lower than the DAVP rates followed in Union Territories like Delhi and Chandigarh. This gap has strained the financial stability of media outlets in the region, making it difficult for them to sustain operations.
In a public statement, the JKPC strongly backed the editors’ appeal, highlighting the issue’s urgency. “The implementation of DAVP rates is not just reasonable — it’s essential for the survival of newspapers in J&K,” the JKPC said, adding that equitable advertising rates are critical for the health of local media houses.
The press corps also emphasized the newspaper industry’s vital role in promoting democratic values and ensuring the free flow of information to the public. “Media is the backbone of democracy, and the existing DIPR rates are a major hurdle for the industry’s growth and survival in J&K,” the statement read.
JKPC’s appeal to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was direct and clear: address the issue with urgency and adopt the DAVP rates, as successfully done in other Union Territories like Delhi and Chandigarh. The statement noted that such a move would provide much-needed financial relief to media organizations, enabling them to continue their role as a vital pillar of democracy.
“We respectfully urge the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor to step in and facilitate the implementation of DAVP rates for J&K government advertisements. This step will support the media industry, ensure its sustainability, and promote a fairer media environment in the region,” JKPC’s statement concluded.
