A government advertisement released in Andhra Jyothy Telugu daily newspaper on Wednesday to mark its 23rd anniversary came in for sharp criticism in the media circles.

The government advertisement, released by state stamps and revenue department openly described a newspaper as its “abhimaana patrika” (favourite publication).

The advertisement appeared in the Vijayawada East Zone edition. The creative layout - including a pinned map-like image on a small land-shaped section - only added to the peculiarity.

What is worse, the ad prominently featured the photograph of the newspaper’s managing director Vemuri Radhakrishna, while the images of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and revenue minister Anagani Satyaprasad appeared in miniature, almost as a token presence.

Analysts termed it une

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