New rates set for government newspaper advertisements

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a circular revising government advertisement rates for newspapers and periodicals, effective from October 13.

The revised rates were set following recommendations from the Media Reform Commission and approval from the Finance Division.

According to the circular issued on Tuesday, advertisement rates for daily newspapers published in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisional cities will depend on their circulation.

For newspapers with a circulation of 6,000 to 7,000, the rate has been set at Tk 450 per column inch. The rate will increase by Tk 7 for every additional 1,000 copies for circulation between 7,001 and 30,000, Tk 6 between 30,001 and 50,000, and Tk 5 between 50,001 and 90,000.

For circulation exceeding 90,000, the rate will increase by Tk 4 for every additional 1,000 copies, subject to a maximum of Tk 1,100 per column inch.

For daily newspapers published in other divisional cities, the rate has been set at Tk 420 per column inch for circulation between 4,000 and 5,000. The rate will increase by Tk 6 for every additional 1,000 copies for circulation between 5,001 and 30,000, Tk 5 between 30,001 and 50,000, and Tk 4 for circulation above 50,000. The maximum rate for this category is Tk 850.

For daily newspapers published in district towns and other locations, the initial rate is Tk 400 per column inch for circulation between 3,000 and 4,000. The rate will increase by Tk 6 for every additional 1,000 copies for circulation between 4,001 and 30,000 and Tk 5 for circulation above 30,000, with a maximum rate of Tk 800.

The circular also sets revised rates for semi-weekly, weekly, fortnightly, monthly and quarterly publications and periodicals.

For such publications issued from Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisional cities, the rate has been fixed at Tk 250 per column inch for circulation between 3,000 and 4,000. It will increase by Tk 6 for every additional 1,000 copies for circulation between 4,001 and 10,000 and Tk 5 for circulation above 10,000, subject to a maximum of Tk 450.

For semi-weekly, weekly and other periodicals published in other divisional cities, district towns and other locations, the initial rate is Tk 250 per column inch for circulation between 2,000 and 3,000. The rate will increase by Tk 6 for every additional 1,000 copies for circulation between 3,001 and 10,000 and Tk 5 for circulation above 10,000, with a maximum of Tk 400.

The circular also provides for additional charges for advertisements published on the front and back pages. Rates will be 80 per cent higher on the front page and 40 per cent higher on the back page than those applicable to inside pages.

For colour advertisements in supplements published on special occasions, an additional charge of 10 per cent will apply for each colour, up to a maximum increase of 35 per cent compared with black-and-white advertisements.

The revised rates will apply only to newspapers and periodicals listed with the government for media purposes. The Department of Films and Publications (DFP), under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, will maintain and update the applicable rates for each publication.

Other provisions of the existing advertisement and supplement policies, including conditions for advertisements in special cases outside the revised rates, will remain unchanged.

The new circular replaces the previous advertisement rate circular issued by the ministry on December 31, 2019.

The circular was issued following the Media Reform Commission’s recommendations and approval letters from the Finance Division dated February 8 and August 9 this year.

Source: BSS