The Government of Punjab on January 18, 2023, issued the Electronic Media Advertising Policy – 2023 to secure the widest possible coverage of the intended content or message of the Government of Punjab through advertising via Electronic Media at the rates approved by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Punjab or the Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC).
This Policy will be valid for 3 years from the date of Issue. It may be amended at any time by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Punjab.
The following policy guidelines have been stated:
• Fixing of rates:
In case the BOC rates are not available, DIPR may fix rates after taking into consideration the recommendations of a Committee constituted by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Punjab in this regard.
• Empanelment of TV channels:
TV channels that are empanelled with the BOC will be automatically empanelled by the DIPR, Government of Punjab. In cases where the BOC rates are not available, rates will be decided by the DIPR, Government of Punjab based on the recommendations of the Committee. The channels are divided into two categories- National and Regional and also genre on the basis of dominant viewership in a particular area/region by the DIPR, Government of Punjab.
• The eligibility criteria for empanelment are as follows:
o Minimum Telecast Period: A channel should have completed a minimum of 1 year with 24 × 7 regular telecast for the purpose of empanelment with the Department of Information and Public Relations, Govt. of Punjab. A new channel, with good viewership in the last three months, can be considered as a special case. A Channel broadcasting programmers mainly for viewers in Punjab may be empanelled after three months by the Committee if it fulfils the objective of Information needs of the people or promoters of art and culture in the State.
o Publicity: The publicity impact of advertisement through the channels will also be taken into account while empanelling such channels. The rate for such channel way is fixed based on available data that the channels telecasting/ broadcasting programmers for the information/ entertainment/ educational needs of the people of Punjab.
o Coverage & Content: Channels specifically covering Punjab news, art and culture of Punjab may be considered.
o Viewership: Channels being aired internationally but having a focus on the Indian sub-continent and surrounding areas may be considered.
• Criteria for fixation of rates of empanelled TV Channels:
BOC rates for TV /Radio- channels would be applicable, if available. The rates of empanelled channels may be recommended by the committee if the BOC rates are not available.
• The effective rate of a particular channel will determine the rate structure pattern depending on the number of bonus telecasts, ticker/scroll etc. provided with the rate. The channel would be provisionally empanelled till the ratification by the Committee constituted by the DIPR if the channel fulfils all the criteria. The assessment will be done by the committee constituted by the DIPR, Government of Punjab.
• Duration of empanelment-
A channel, once empanelled shall remain on the panel of DIPR, Government of Punjab for a period of at least 2 years that can be extended up to 1 year after review by the committee.
• De-empanelment
In the event of any change of nomenclature (name & logo etc.), the company and group of the channel shall be duty-bound to inform the DIPR, Government of Punjab, in advance. If it is not done well in time and it comes to the notice of the DIPR, then the channel will be immediately suspended and thereafter necessary action will be initiated to disqualify the channel at least for a time period as decided by the committee.
• Payment of bills:
Every Channel/Station will be obliged tO submit its telecast/broadcast/display bills complete in all respects along with telecast/broadcast/display certificates within 30 days of completion of the campaign or the last date of the monthly telecast failing which action would be taken against them. The telecast/broadcast/display certificate submitted by the channel will be considered as the basic proof of telecast/broadcast/display.
Kindly refer to the notification for more details.
[Notification No. I/488302/2023]
