Odisha Small & Medium Newspaper Association Demands Separate Advertisement Policy

Koraput, Sept 18: The Odisha Small and Medium Newspaper Association has urged the state government to frame a separate advertisement policy for small and medium newspapers. The demand was raised during the Association’s General Council meeting held at Shabar Shrikhetra premises in Koraput.

Editors and publishers from across Odisha participated in the meeting and highlighted issues such as inclusion under the Gopabandhu Health Insurance Scheme, unbiased recognition for newspapers that have applied for government approval, transparency in the recognition process, enactment of pension and security laws for journalists, free passage at toll gates, and fair advertisement distribution by the I&PR Department.

The Association resolved to submit a memorandum to the state government and warned of a demonstration in front of the I&PR office if their demands remain unmet after Durga Puja.

Senior journalists Kishore Dwibedi and Surendra Patra, attending as guests, supported the demands, calling them justified and urging government intervention.

Over 40 editors and publishers joined the meeting, where a proposal was also made to elevate the body into a national-level association. President Ravi Rath and Chief Advisor Binod Mahapatra were felicitated on the occasion.