The Indian Languages Newspapers' Association (ILNA) today welcomed the Supreme Court judgement "banning" use of pictures of Ministers and others in government advertisements.
Issuing a slew of guidelines on regulation of public advertisements, the Supreme Court said pictures of certain dignitaries like the President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India can be carried.
"ILNA had been complaining that politicians in power are using selected publications, generally in English ones, to promote themselves. Language newspapers, specially medium and small ones and also large ones from smaller places were denied these advertisements," said a statement by the Association.
"ILNA feels that similar judgement from the apex court should be obtained on tender notices and government notices which are issued without consideration of who is to be informed," it said.
Welcoming the order, it said that the decision will reduce "influence" of releasing agencies on media and hoped for ad placements in "more free and unbiased newspapers", while noting that all newspapers, small or big, in Indian languages or in English are entitled to level playing field.
