Friends, when we look at the consumption of media, it comes to mind as the most addictive product there ever was, and ever will be! It is packaged and sold at times better than a film with a much higher impact quotient. And the content can change the nation, definitely the government, at times overnight! The Indian news industry is the news, and here we are.
Our foremost gratitude to our mentor – Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri. His sharp understanding and inherent respect for media is the motivation behind this exclusive supplement on the industry. The attempt is to fill the gap that has been in existence for long; the gap between how news is seen and how it is made. More than anything else, this magazine is about people like you and me who consume news and media to strengthen, empower and enlighten our lives.
Media is a topic whose sensitivity can neither be underestimated or overestimated. While most institutions of the Indian democracy are under suspicion, our media, despite being criticised for its nuisance value or low quality content at times, is regarded by many as the most potent force to create positive change.
When we sat down to shape the Media Watch, we all agreed that there’s more to Indian media than meets the eye. We decided to bring out a platform which will not just celebrate the diversity and range of voices and views that emanate from within the Indian media, but also highlight success stories that can be an inspiration for youngsters to emulate. Besides, we also vowed to bring lapses and sins of omission and commission that are occasionally witnessed in the media, to the limelight. In short, Media Watch is aimed at keeping a 360 degree watch on every aspect of media – from its business to most importantly, its social responsibilities.
Media Watch will also pay particular attention to the latest trends in the vibrant and rapidly growing regional media that is often ignored by the so-called ‘establishment’ media based in Delhi and Mumbai. It thus hopes to bring to its readers great work done by media in this country, in various remote areas, which often gets lost because the media house may not be big enough to get noticed. Our media house is in a unique position to get ‘all’ happenings from ‘all’ parts of the country – thanks to our news weekly The Sunday Indian, that we bring out in 14 languages from every corner of the country.
Our media industry is following a very different growth path as compared to the West. As of today, the Indian media and entertainment industry is pegged at Rs.652 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14% to reach Rs.1.3 trillion by 2015. What is noteworthy however, is the fact that print media will continue to remain a key driver of this growth saga. The print media is growing in India at a CAGR of 10% and is expected to reach a value of Rs.310 billion by 2015. Furthermore, the regional print is expected to grow at a higher rate of 12%. With more than 70,000 newspapers, India witnesses a circulation of more than 107 million copies every day. News is big, really big.
This is the first issue of the monthly supplement. I humbly invite the editors, CEOs and opinion leaders to write to us with your feedback. Let us together make this platform bigger and better with a vision of creating an India where news not just informs, but also empowers.
