A delegation of Joint Forum of Newspapers today met senior CPI (M) leader and MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and apprised him of the hardships being faced by them on account of New Advertizement policy announced in 2016.The delegation presented a memorandum of demands to the CPI (M) leader, which they have already submitted to the Honble Chief Minister. The demands include revocation of advertisement policy 2016, rational distribution of advertisements, reconstitution of accreditation committee and uniform rates for advertisements. The delegation further demanded that welfare fund of Rs 2.00 crores be kept in ambeyance, press club be headed by a special officer of DIPR till the elections are conducted and advertisements released to the National newspapers not to be loaded on the budgetary provisions earmarked for local newspapers. While assuring the delegation of his support to their genuine demands, the CPI (M) leader said that for freedom of press small newspapers need to be encouraged. The new advertisement policy needs to be revisited, so that the genuine demands of local and small newspapers are addressed, he added. (CNS)