Andaman MP anguished over Advertisement policy of UT Administration

Port Blair, Nov 02 (UNI) Expressing anguish over the Advertisement policy of Andaman and Nicobar Administration, the lone Member of Parliament of the Islands Manoranjan Bhakta today alleged that the Administration was hindering the growth of free press in the islands.

Interacting with a delegation of Publishers and Editors of Andaman's Local newspapers, Mr Bhakta said the current advertisement policy of Andaman and Nicobar Administration was against the actual policies of the Centre, where even daily newspapers were getting government advertisements worth less than Rs 5,000.

''If this is the situation then survival of free press is impossible in these far-flung islands,'' Mr Bhakta added.

The MP also expressed his discontent over Andaman Administration's decision to continue publishing a government daily newspaper 'The Daily Telegrams' despite the fact that several private media units had come up in the islands.

Editors, Publishers and Journalists of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been protesting against the Administration since October 20, demanding sufficient government advertisements for survival of private media.

Mediapersons are also protesting against Andaman Administration's alleged biased policies of providing government advertisements worth several lakhs to the government-run Daily Telegrams while advertisements worth only a few thousands to private dailies every month.

''All the private dailies must be treated at par with the government daily and moreover there is no need for the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to run a government newspaper on its own,'' Mr Bhakta added.

The MP has assured all possible action to settle the demands of local media units and save them from extinction.

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