Govt must help small newspapers to survive: ASNI

New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) The Association of Small Newspapers of India (ASNI) today urged the Government to provide help and create ''conducive'' conditions for small newspapers to survive and increase their circulation.

''In the capitalist driven newspaper industry small newspapers face a bleak future. Their survival is difficult without the Government's help... Conducive conditions must be created for the survival of the small newspapers,'' ASNI president Keshav Dutt Chandole said in his address at the National Conference of ASNI.

Mr Chandole said state governments were ignoring the issues being faced by the small newspapers.

''The Vernacular Press Act, 1878 has not been amended even once.

That explains the attitude of the Government towards us... All the aspects -- Titles, Declaration and other-- covered under it must be given a rethink,'' he added.

He alleged that the small newspapers were being harassed and discriminated against by the state governments and the Directorate of Audio Visual Publicity (DAVP).

''In the name of cost cutting and budget, the advertisement rate structure has been decreased or totally cut for many newspapers....

that must stop. How will we survive otherwise?'' he added.

Mr Chandole said despite the odds, small newspapers have been serving the society and will continue to do so.

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