Hyderabad | PrathipakshamTV Exclusive Report
A Right to Information (RTI) request filed by independent journalist and RTI activist Veeramusti Sathish has uncovered significant details about the Telangana Government’s year-wise spending on print media advertisements from 2020 to 2025. The information, furnished by the Department of Information & Public Relations (I&PR), Display Section, provides a rare insight into how public funds were allocated for publicity, awareness campaigns, and government promotions during the last five years.

This exclusive data reveals not only the year-wise totals but also the sharp rise in advertisement expenditure during certain periods — raising questions on transparency, budget priorities, and political timing.

Massive Rise in Advertisement Spending After 2022

According to the I&PR department’s official reply, the Telangana Government spent substantial amounts on print advertising between the financial years 2020–21 and 2025–26 (up to August 28, 2025). The expenditure pattern shows a dramatic jump during 2022–2024.

The figures clearly indicate:

• A stable, low expenditure during 2020–2022

• A ten-fold increase starting from 2022–23

• The highest spending in 2023–24 (₹244 crore)

• A dip again in 2024–25 after the elections

This pattern strongly aligns with pre-election campaigns, government program promotions, and large-scale publicity drives.

Which Newspapers Received Payments? 

One of the key RTI questions sought the names of:

• Newspapers

• Magazines

• TV channels

• Digital media platforms

• And details of payments made to each

The I&PR Department responded that the list of empanelled ‘Big & Medium’ newspapers and magazines . However, actual payment specifics were advised to be collected from the Accounts Section, indicating a multi-level data structure maintained within the department.

This opens the door for further RTI follow-up applications to break down:

• Which media houses benefited the most?

• How much advertising revenue flowed into each newspaper?

• Whether the spending pattern changed during election seasons?

Such details can potentially reveal political preferences and media influence dynamics during critical periods.

Government Orders (GOs) on Advertisement Policy Also Released

Along with expenditure data, the I&PR Department attached G.O. Ms. No. 52, an important government order that outlines the rules and policy framework for:

• Releasing government advertisements

• Eligibility of newspapers

• Criteria for empanelment

• Rate structure and approvals

This GO is significant for journalists, researchers, legal activists, and media houses studying government-advertising relations and policy transparency.

Why Did Expenditure Spike in 2022–24?

Political analysts suggest multiple reasons:

1. Pre-election Publicity

2022–2023 and 2023–2024 were politically sensitive periods, including:

• Welfare scheme promotions

• Development project campaigns

• Government achievements advertisements

• Election-year communication strategies

2. Media Competition

To reach rural, urban, and regional readership, governments typically increase multi-platform publicity efforts.

3. Awareness Programmes

Campaigns related to:

• Health

• Agriculture

• Social welfare

• Education

• Public safety

were run at a statewide level.

4. Digital–Print Combination

Print media still holds large influence in Telangana, especially regional and language newspapers.

The result: a massive jump in annual advertisement budgets.

RTI: A Powerful Tool for Accountability

This disclosure is a clear example of how the Right to Information Act empowers citizens to:

• Track government expenditure

• Demand financial transparency

• Examine public fund utilisation

• Hold authorities accountable

Journalist Veeramusti Sathish’s consistent RTI activism has played a crucial role in bringing such high-value information to the public domain.

Regular RTI users argue that government advertisement spending must always be transparent, as it involves taxpayer money and tends to influence media independence.

Is the Spending Justified? Experts React

Public policy and media experts have varying views:

✔️ Argument for Justification

• Government must inform citizens about schemes

• Awareness campaigns require mass communication

• Print media remains a reliable channel

❌ Argument Against Excessive Spending

• ₹244 crore in a single year (2023–24) is unusually high

• Public money could be used for welfare instead of publicity

• Election-linked spending may be politically motivated

The debate continues, especially because these expenditure patterns directly affect political communication and media neutrality.

Why This Information Matters to Every Citizen

Understanding where taxpayers’ money goes is essential in a democracy. This RTI revelation:

• Shows budgeting priorities

• Highlights election-year publicity patterns

• Helps track potential misuse of funds

• Ensures transparency in media-government relations

• Encourages further citizen journalism and public scrutiny

Conclusion

The RTI response from the Telangana I&PR Department offers a detailed, year-wise breakdown of print media advertisement spending from 2020 to 2025. The sharp surge during 2022–24 raises important questions about publicity budgets and political timing.

This report reinforces the importance of RTI in promoting transparency and accountability within government departments across India.

https://tgic.telangana.gov.in/rtiactreport.do

READ MORE:

Telangana Information Commission Warns Tekumatla Police

Online RTI:తెలంగాణలో ఆర్టీఐ కమీషనర్లు ఖాళీ – సమాచారం లేక ఇబ్బందులు