Newspapers are the World’s Mirrors
It is common in many households to see people with a cup of coffee in one hand and a new paper in the other, on the veranda and on an easy chair. Luxuries of the past, which many households cannot afford now. It has become an integral part of people’s morning routine. Things have changed now with the internet and social media. Perhaps the newspaper is the last place you go to know the news. Indian Newspaper Day celebrates the beginning of newspapers in India. The newspaper day is to commemorate the start of newspapers in India. Newspapers served as a reliable source of authentic news and updates about government officials for the public. It bridged the gap between the privileged and the ordinary people. It is reported that India is the second largest newspaper market in the world, with more than 100 million copies sold daily. Observation of National Newspaper Day also celebrates and recognises the large workforce, journalists, writers, and news agencies for their relentless work in making newspapers still relevant. Getting the news from newspapers brings authenticity and comes with the responsibility of the reporters. It will be easier for people to verify and confirm. Â
The newspaper is a great educator. It brings us the news of the world, it stimulates our thoughts, and it broadens our knowledge.
Mahatma Gandhi
It is common in many households to see people with a cup of coffee in one hand and a new paper in the other, on the veranda and on an easy chair. Luxuries of the past, which many households cannot afford now. It has become an integral part of people’s morning routine. To attract and retain customers, many establishments and shops offer newspapers for reading. If you are a sports enthusiast, you rush to the last but one page where the sports events are covered. Young aspirants for the job look for the newspapers, and each has a particular day for publishing employment opportunities. Being on the front page and marking the headlines is an achievement. People preparing for the competitive examinations spend time going through the editorials, both of the content and also for the language skills of the editor.
Things have changed now with the internet and social media. Perhaps the newspaper is the last place you go to know the news. For a country like India, with diversity in languages and culture, newspapers still hold their readers. Newspaper agencies have accepted the inevitability and made the electronic versions available. E-paper, which you can read on your laptop, tablet or mobile. The electronic media revolution has helped newspapers to be published from multiple locations and at reduced costs.
If your family member works in a newspaper publishing domain, they are expected to reach home early the following day. When BPOs are not very common, they are not one of the familiar routines for people. Newspapers are brought out almost daily, with only two or three days on which newspapers will not have their editions. It is one of those disappointing moments when you realise it is no newspaper day. The disappointment on their faces is evident when the younger family members remind them that it is one of the no-newspaper days.
Indian Newspaper Day celebrates the beginning of newspapers in India. This is the day James Augustus Hicky (an Irishman) launched the first printed newspaper in India in 1780. It was the Original Calcutta General Advertiser (or Hicky’s Bengal Gazette). The newspaper day is to commemorate the beginning of newspapers in India. For his pioneering work, Augustus Hicky is also known as the “father of the Indian press”. Those were the days when news took days to reach its audience. Newspapers changed the way things were done. Newspapers served as a reliable source of authentic news and updates about government officials for the public. It bridged the gap between the privileged and the ordinary people.
Office of the Registrar of Newspapers for India website indicates that the total number of registered publications (as of March 31, 2022) is 1,46,045. 20821 of them fall under the newspaper category, and 1,25,767 of them are periodicals. The percentage growth of the newspapers is put at 1.08%. It may not be unexpected, but most publications are in Hindi, followed by English. The newspaper with the largest circulation in English is Hindustan Times, with Dainik Bhaskar taking the honours for the multi-edition papers. Malayala Manorama tops the category as the largest circulated periodical. It is reported that India is the second largest newspaper market in the world, with more than 100 million copies sold daily.
With the enhanced use of social media comes the challenge of handling fake news and information that cannot be verified. Getting the news from newspapers brings authenticity and comes with the responsibility of the reporters. It will be easier for people to verify and confirm. Since newspaper publishers have prestige at stake, ethical reporting aspects are handled. Political or otherwise, the inclination of the newspapers is built over time, and people are aware of the same. Observation of Newspaper Day honours the newspaper that informs people about developments and educates them about worldwide events. It also acknowledges the critical role newspapers play in shaping public opinion. It is also a celebration and recognition of the large workforce, journalists, writers, and news agencies for their relentless work in making newspapers still relevant.
Let newspapers continue to inform and inspire us.
R. K. Laxman
As RK Laxman said, let the newspapers continue to inform and inspire us.
Toons: Reema Jaiswal
Logs: M Sai Baba
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