MEDIA DEVELOPMENT

• Freedom of Press has been fully restored in Sikkim. Black chapter of repression over Press has come to an end. A tradition has been established for the development of healthy journalism.

• In 1994 there were only 20 accredited newspapers in Sikkim. Now there are more than 70 daily, bi-weekly and weekly papers.

• The Government expenditure on advertisement was Rs.4lakhs in 1985, RS.15. 7 lakhs in 1998 and has reached RS.1.5 crores in 2003.

• There has been considerable increase in Government sponsored advertisement rates.

• The publication of standard papers in the last 12 years also indicates the level of freedom of Press in Sikkim. The intellectual and spiritual sensitivity of the people of Sikkim has increased.

• All accredited local papers are provided with Government advertisements and other facilities.

• To modernize press and other media in Sikkim, the Government distributed laptops, computers, cameras and printers to them.

• After the establishment of the SDF Government, every year 'National Press Day' is celebrated. Training facilities in media are also provided to interested youth.

• For the protection of the rights of the journalists 'Press Club of Sikkim' has been established. Annual grant of RS.1.5lakh is also provided by the government to the Press Club of Sikkim.