The Centre has mandated that all advertisers and advertising agencies submit a 'Self-Declaration Certificate' before publishing or broadcasting any advertisements, in compliance with a Supreme Court directive.
According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has announced this new requirement in response to the Supreme Court's order. For television and radio advertisements, the self-declaration certificate must be submitted via the Broadcast Seva Portal of the MIB. For print and digital media advertisements, submissions will be made through the Press Council of India’s portal.
This directive follows the Supreme Court's Order dated May 7, 2024, in Writ Petition Civil No. 645/2022-IMA & Anr. Vs. UOI & Ors., aiming to enhance transparency and consumer protection in advertising practices.
The submission portals will be operational from June 4, 2024. Advertisers and advertising agencies must obtain and upload the self-declaration certificates for all new advertisements scheduled for release, telecast, airing, or publication on or after June 18, 2024. This two-week period allows stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the self-certification process. Currently running advertisements do not require self-certification.
The self-declaration certificate must confirm that the advertisement does not contain misleading claims and complies with all relevant regulatory guidelines, including Rule 7 of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994, and the Norms of Journalistic Conduct of the Press Council of India. Advertisers must also provide proof of uploading the certificate to the relevant broadcaster, printer, publisher, or electronic media platform.
In line with the Supreme Court's directive, no advertisement will be permitted to run on television, print media, or the internet without a valid self-declaration certificate. This measure aims to foster responsible advertising practices and protect consumers from misleading advertisements.
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting urges all advertisers, broadcasters, and publishers to comply diligently with this directive to ensure a transparent and accountable advertising environment.
