New national policy for communication on the cards: M Venkaiah Naidu

Government has also allocated Rs 100 crore to revive community radios

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is planning to come out with a National Communication Policy. The ministry also said it would revive community radio stations and has allocated Rs 100 crore for the same.

Speaking at the Regional Editors Conference, organised by Press Information Bureau, in Chennai on Thursday, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information & Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu said that Indian media industry is seeing a landscape change.

Bucking the global trend, Indian print industry is growing. For instance, in 2015 advertising revenue rose by nine per cent to Rs 62 billion, while circulation revenue growth rose by eight per cent.

The number of new publications also rose by 3.1 per cent with 5,817 new additions.

One of the key drivers is regional media, backed by growing demand in Tier II and III cities.

The minister said the Centre is working on a National Policy for Communication and has allocated Rs 100 crore to revive community radios.

He asked the media fraternity to be more responsible, especially to issues which are critical and of national interest.

"News and views should be different. While giving views you should have to read the people, judgement should be given by people," said the minister.