National Herald Tops Karnataka Government Ad Spending Despite Low Readership

The National Herald newspaper reportedly received more advertisement funds from the Congress-led Karnataka government than any other national daily, raising concerns over the allocation of public money.

According to India Today and government records, crores of rupees were paid to the National Herald from the state government’s advertisement budget, despite reports of negligible readership and virtually no circulation in Karnataka. The newspaper reportedly emerged as the largest beneficiary of Karnataka’s national newspaper ad spend for two consecutive years.

Figures indicate that Rs 1.90 crore was allotted to the National Herald in 2023–24, followed by nearly Rs 1 crore (Rs 99 lakh) in 2024–25. By comparison, several established national dailies received significantly lower allocations, with some reportedly getting less than half of what the National Herald was allotted. In 2024–25 alone, the Karnataka government spent Rs 1.42 crore on advertisements in national newspapers, with nearly 69% of that amount going to the National Herald.

The National Herald has been embroiled in a high-profile dispute involving senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, who are named as accused in an ongoing Enforcement Directorate money laundering case linked to its parent company, Associated Journals Limited (AJL).

In connection with the investigation, the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing has issued notices to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and his brother DK Suresh, seeking detailed financial records related to donations made to the National Herald and Young Indian. The Congress party has termed the probe politically motivated, alleging it constitutes harassment of its leaders.