New Delhi: In a clear sign of the changing times, the Modi government has sought public opinion on utilisation of funds for government advertisements that are allegedly politically motivated.
The Union information and broadcasting ministry has sought suggestions from the general public to stop government advertising that is deemed to influence coverage in the mainstream media.
Successive governments have come under severe criticism for utilising public money to promote their political causes especially ahead of polls. The request for suggestions from the general public has been made days after the taking over of reins of power by Narendra Modi headed BJP government.
The Supreme Court had in a judgement on April 23 had pressed on the “need to distinguish between the advertisements that are part of government messaging and daily business and advertisements that are politically motivated designed but to patronise media organisations and get favourable media coverage.”
After the SC judgement the government had constituted a committee comprising of Prof. Madhav Menon, Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, former secretary general of Lok Sabha T.K. Vishwanathan to go into the details.
The committee is scheduled to submit its draft guidelines to the Supreme Court in three months. The panel is likely to begin deliberations on the issue soon and it has also sought views of stake holders, client ministries, state governments and recognised political parties before taking a decision on the issue, sources said.
