The Press Council of India has criticised Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot for “discriminating” against Hindi daily Rashtradoot by stopping its government advertisements for allegedly not publicising the government’s schemes, the Times of India reported.

The PCI had taken suo motu cognisance of Gehlot’s remarks in December 2019 when he reportedly said that advertisements will be issued to newspapers which publicise government schemes. After an inquiry, the council adopted a report, which had suggested that the PCI must express its extreme displeasure.

Considering Rashtradoot’s statement, the order said it indicated that the daily was being discriminated against in terms of advertisements. “In appropriate matter, we may examine this issue more in detail,” it added. The Rajasthan government, citing its policy, said it did not indulge in any discrimination.

Countering the government’s claim that the PCI had no jurisdiction to intervene in the matter, the council said, “If such statements are brought into action, it is likely to adversely affect the economic viability of certain newspapers to whom advertisements may not be released because of political considerations and that will cripple their capacity to supply and disseminate news of public interest and importance. The chief minister’s statement portrays discriminatory approach and it is in breach of the model advertisement policy guide-2014 found in the norms of journalistic conduct edition 2020.”

Rashtradoot, with eight editions, was the third largest Hindi daily in Rajasthan in terms of circulation. In terms of revenue, however, it is now at the eighth spot, according to Times of India.