No SDCs for Government ads, Tenders, Public Notices, Obituary ads: PCI

Following the May 7, 2024 directive of the Supreme Court with regard to Misleading Advertisements on print/ electronic/ digital media, all broadcasters/ publishers have been advised to strictly adhere to the requirement for submission of Self-Declaration Certificate by Advertiser/ Advertising Agency.

This certificate must be submitted through the Broadcast Seva Portal of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) before telecast on TV channels, and in respect of Print/ Digital media through the Press Council of India (PCI) portal.

In keeping with the Supreme Court order, PCI has issued guidelines for submission of the Self-Declaration Certificate from all advertisers/ ad agencies. The certificate needs to that the ad content are true claims.

PCI has further specified that Government ads, Tenders, Public Notices, Obituary ads have been kept out of the purview of the Self-Declaration Certificate mandate.