Port Blair, April 8: Many days before the announcement of total lockdown due to COVID-19, the IP Department of the UT administration has stopped releasing government advertisements to the media here. In the meantime, private advertisements were also totally stopped due to the lockdown. Faced with financial losses, a group of media persons met the Secretary, IP&T and requested him to release government advertisements so that media organization in the islands can at least pay salaries to its staff and meet other important expenses.
The Secretary, IP&T assured the media person that he will extend every possible efforts to support the local media by way of releasing government advertisements to the local media. He informed that he will take up the matter with the Chief Secretary and will ensure that government advertisements are released to the local media. However, several days has since been passed, media here has received no government advertisements from the IP Division. Most of the media units in the islands are in precarious condition with no fund to pay salaries and meet other important expenses. As government advertisements was one of the big source of revenue for the regional newspapers, media here are now faced with a huge difficulties in paying salaries to staff , procure newsprint and other printing materials.
Already facing revenue loss on account of closure of private establishments who use to be clients issuing regular advertisements, the stoppage of government advertisements have resulted in media organization here facing huge financial difficulties. Almost all media organizations are facing financial difficulties and unable to pay salaries to the staff or meet other expenditures.
