Chandigarh/Fazilka,27 May (Press Ki Taquat Bureau) : The media world has been one of the most affected industry due to the covid-19 epidemic. The print media saw a huge decrease in its circulation and a huge loss in its advertising revenue. Almost all outdoor media orders were cancelled due to no traffic on the roads due to the lockdown. The event business is also empty due to no events being allowed in this current scenario. In this regard, Mr. Karan Gilhotra, President of the Punjab Chapter of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has demanded in a memorandum to Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh that a special relief package be given to the media industry due to the long lockdown going on in Punjab.
Karan Gilhotra, in a communication to Punjab CM Captain Amrinder Singh, said, radio, TV, print, outdoor, out-of-home media have seen a significant decline in advertising revenue. The steady decline in advertising revenue is posing a significant threat to the media industry as advertising income is a major source of income for the media. Mr. Gilhotra has urged the Government of Punjab as well as the Central Government to make a conscious effort towards ensuring full utilisation of its annual advertising budget in the relevant financial year. The Chamber has made a special request to Punjab CM to revive the media industry in Punjab, urging immediate release of all its dues besides appeals to all departments, ministries, DAVP, State Government, Public Enterprises etc. to immediately release all the outstanding payments to the entire media industry of the State. He also urges to Govt. to announce the economic package so that the media, which is considered to be the fourth pillar, can stand on its feet again.
It may be recalled that earlier Dr. D.K. Aggarwal, President and Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, Senior Vice President of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, had submitted memorandum to Union Information and Broadcasting Mr. Prakash Javadekar to announce relief package to Media Industry in New Delhi.
