New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS): The government on Tuesday increased the advertisement rates for print media by 25 per cent over the existing rates, which is expected to especially benefit small and medium newspapers.

An Information and Broadcasting Ministry release said that the decision has come into force immediately and will be valid for a period of three years.

"This decision has been taken based on the recommendations of the 8th Rate Structure Committee constituted by Information and Broadcasting Ministry which took into account several factors, including the increase in the price of newsprint, processing charges and other factors which go into the computation of advertisement rates," the release said.

The last such revision had taken place in 2013 when an increase of 19 per cent was made over the rates of 2010.

"The decision will be of great benefit especially to the medium and small newspapers including a large number of such papers in regional and vernacular languages," the release said.