Take it or leave it: Government drastically slashes advertising rates for TV channels

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published December 23, 2018

ISLAMABAD – The federal government has come up with new take it or leave it advertising rates for private television channels, apparently already in deep financial crisis.

Additional Information Secretary Shafqat Jalil informed the Chairman of Pakistan Broadcasters Association, Shakeel Masud Hussain, of the massive cuts through a letter this week.

Terming the existing rates as “unfair and exorbitant,” the ministry points out that the Finance Division has raised serious objections to the tariff.

The letter makes it clear that although the government intends to support the electronic media, it cannot do so on existing rates.

In this light, “the government after due deliberation and considering the commercial rates charged by Private Television Channels has evaluated the new rates” which it claims are fair and reasonable for public sector advertisements and campaigns in public interest.

The letter says, the new tariff would be applicable from December 27, if the ministry does not hear back from the channels.

Meanwhile, Dawn journalist Baqir Sajjad Syed expressed surprise through a tweet on how much the previous government was paying smaller channels for advertisements – rates almost at par with top-rated channels.

Govt has proposed massive cut in official advertisement rates for private TV channels. It's eye opening how much small channels were being paid by previous govt, virtually at par with the top rated channels. pic.twitter.com/18jQsvFma8

— Baqir Sajjad (@baqirsajjad) December 22, 2018

For example, Roze TV was getting paid Rs245,000 for a 60-second government advert, and Royal News Rs75000 for an ad of similar duration. Those rates are now down to only Rs5000.

But it is not only the smaller channels whose rates the government has drastically slashed. Heavyweights Geo, Dunya News, ARY, and a string of others also face extreme cuts.

In the new list, Geo is down from Rs290,500 for a 60-second commercial to Rs89,000. Similarly, Dunya News would have to be content with Rs75000 after getting Rs273000 for a one-minute commercial earlier.

CPJ calls on Pakistani authorities to end harassment, deportation of Afghan journalists

 January 23, 2025:  CPJ exposes Pakistan's dangerous deportation of Afghan journalists fleeing Taliban persecution, highlighting critical human rights violations and press freedom challenges. #JournalistSafety

Cyber martial law: Authoritarian PECA legislation threatens digital expression in Pakistan

 January 23, 2025:  Pakistan's PECA Amendment exposes a dangerous assault on press freedom, creating a repressive social media regulatory framework that threatens digital expression and criminalizes journalism. #MediaFreedom #PakistanLaw #DigitalRights #Censorship #JournalismUnderThreat

When talk shows turn battlegrounds: The ugly face of Pakistani TV

 January 23, 2025:  An in-depth look at the recent scuffle on a Pakistani talk show, its implications for media ethics, and the urgent need for TV channels to uphold decorum during debates.

Over 300 PTV pensioners rally for dues, PFUJ slams management inaction

 January 22, 2025:  PFUJ condemns the neglect of PTV pensioners who protested in Islamabad for unpaid dues and benefits. Union urges authorities to resolve issues without delay.

PFUJ condemns PECA amendments as a betrayal by information minister

 January 22, 2025:  The PFUJ has condemned the new amendments to PECA 2016, describing them as unconstitutional and threatening press freedom. It warns of nationwide protests if the government doesn’t withdraw the bill.

Crackdown on AI-generated content: FIA targets 10 more suspects

 January 22, 2025:  The FIA has registered 18 cases, including against 10 more suspects, for sharing AI-generated images of Maryam Nawaz and the UAE President. The crackdown also targets those who liked or commented on the images.

Pakistan's digital hypocrisy: PM Shehbaz Sharif tweets Trump while citizens face X ban

 January 21, 2025:  Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulates Trump on X despite the year-long platform ban, sparking outrage over government double standards and digital censorship concerns.

Leaked justice: Journalists tweet Imran Khan's 14-year sentence before judge's verdict

 January 17, 2025:  In an unprecedented breach of judicial protocol, Pakistani journalists accurately revealed Imran Khan's 14-year sentence in the Al-Qadir case on social media 24 hours before the official verdict, raising serious questions about court independence