Print Medium; Press:

.5.1, Introduction: The word ‘press’ is usually meant by the printing press. But in the greater sense ‘press’ implies the combined activities of journalism and systematic publishing works of newspapers, magazines, periodicals,journals,books and others in the printed form. Thogh customarily,newspapers hold the title of ‘press’enormously in potential manner as well. Press render what to our society through its printing works furnished with journalistic activities, are informative ,educative,entertaining and suggestive. Press impulse our society by providing necessary updates regarding the surroundings.Press carryas well as represent the nation’s portrayal as being accountable and responsible print medium to the civilized world.5.2 Newspaper and its evolution in India: Newspaper can be defined as “any periodical printing works containing public news and comments on public news”. Newspaper provides not only informations on any fact or event,but also caters these in descriptive manner or in the form of detail statement furnished with pictures and colourful presentation. Moreover,newspaper highlights any important isses on either national or international topics through its editorial, indepth analysis and in other form of features and articles. Newspapers act also as the bridge between the nation’s rulling government and the people of the nation, as to transmit or exchange informations from either sidewith a view to aware,to instruct or suggest both on any particular issue or event. As the necessary measure or step could be taken by anyone or both in this regard. Newspaper is an adorable medium and can be used as reader’s convenience. Newspaper is presumed to be fare and impartial in dessiminating the news as compared to other medium like radio or television.The English language newswspaper was printed and published first in Calcutta on 29th January 1780 known as ‘Bengals Gazatte’by Augustus Hicky. With the entrepreneurship of such person of British origin,made possible the people of India to experience the taste of newspaper with the British infasted users. Though the newspaper was not found in a regular process of publication and would not follow or maintain the minimum ethical codes of journalism.It was full of stories and gossips to entertain the British elite class covering few activities of the officials of the ‘East India Company’.The newspaper ran for twentytwo months only and ended in march 1782.In a regular way, Raja Ram Mohon Roy published newspaper in ‘Bengali’ in the year 1822 with the journalistic views and objectives. He was the pioneer in language newspaper publishing. He is conceded to be as the father of Indian regional language newspaper.5.2.1 Growth And Expansion Of Press:With the application of advanced printing technology, a revolutionary change that has taken place in every segment of print media. During the eighty decade, we had a lot of beautiful magazines, periodicals, journals even newspapers available in the market. The major of them were extensively diversified with glittering printing impression and stylish typography, excellent picturization, nicely layout with colourful presentation and fine paper that never we had before. Being equipped with such attractive and appealing get up, print media were able to find its place on the table of many’s drawing room strongly. Newspapers of today, are providing a lot of varieties news,features,indepth articles, sportsnews widely,businessnews ,education and careernews,fimnews as well by allotting a numbers of pages in affordable price to the readers. Almost all, modern newspapers are uniquely presented to the readers with greater attraction and excellence.5.2.2 Number And Circulations Of Newspaper:India consumes 99 million copies of newspapes as in 2007 and is considered to be second largest market of newspapers in the world as in the year 2008. The expansion in readership is due to literacy growth, affordable price of newspaper and above all, increasing appetite for news and informations among the people. In 1950 there were 214 daily newspapers, with forty-four in English and the rest in Indian languages. By 1990 the number of daily newspapers had grown to 2,856, with 209 in English and 2,647 in indigenous languages. The expansion of literacy and the spread of consumerism during the 1980s fueled the rapid growth of news weeklies and other periodicals. By 1993 India had 35,595 newspapers--of which 3,805 were dailies--and other periodicals. Although the majority of publications are in indigenous languages, the English-language press, which has widespread appeal to the expanding middle class, has a wide multicity circulation throughout India.There are four major publishing groups in India, each of which controls national and regional English-language and vernacular publications. They are the Times of India Group, the Indian Express Group, the Hindustan Times Group, and the Anandabazar Patrika Group. The Times of India is India's largest English-language daily, with a circulation of 656,000 published in six cities. The Indian Express , with a daily circulation of 519,000, is published in seventeen cities. There also are seven other daily newspapers with circulations of between 134,000 and 477,000, all in English and all competitive with one another. Indian-language newspapers also enjoy large circulations but usually on a statewide or citywide basis. For example, the Malayalam-language daily Malayala Manorama circulates 673,000 copies in Kerala; the Hindi-language Dainik Jagran circulates widely in Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi, with 580,000 copies per day; Punjab Kesari , also published in Hindi and available throughout Punjab and New Delhi, has a daily circulation of 562,000; and the Anandabazar Patrika , published in Calcutta in Bengali, has a daily circulation of 435,000. There are also numerous smaller publications throughout the nation. The combined circulation of India's newspapers and periodicals is in the order of 60 million, published daily in more than ninety languages.There are three categories of newspaper viz; big, medium and small in which all significant newspapers can be distinguished.Big Newspaper; Over 75000 numbers of circulation are considered to this group. We have such 136 newspapers in India.Midium Newspaper; Circulations over 2500 nos but below 75000 nos are considered to be medium category newspaper. We have such 330 newspaper in our country.Small newspaper; The numbers of circulation belong to this group is below 2500 nos. There are 3528 nos newspaper in this group in India.The ownership pattern and control over the Indian newspapers are mostly held and operated by the individuals followed by the society/association,firms/partnership,joint stock company and others. About seventy percent of total Indian newspapers belong to the group of individuals. Similarly, society/associates hold 15%,firms/partnerships hold 5% and so on. Now we see that the market of newspapers, is under the grip of ‘Monopoly’. Diffusion in ownership patterns of newspapers, is necessary for healthier environment in the field of journalism.## Indian newspapers are enjoying enormous liberty in exercising their journalistic role and activities, by disseminating all kinds of news as well as their views and opinions in liberal manner.5.2.3; Characteristics of Newspaper:The main characteristics of the newspaper as compared to other media, is its extensive coverage of news in variey. Newspaper generally takes to its account many more importantant issues of national and international both, as to enlighten before their readers in descriptive manne .The newspaper publishes the vital issues or any in-depth matter through its editorials and opinions on the particular pages allotted specially for this purpose. Features and articles are published regularly in the newspaper. Beside this,economy and business news, sports news, science and technology news, news on weather and so many different types of news are catered by the newspaper in attractive manners. The news in the newspaper, is retainable and can be read or used later on as reference or documents. The news paper can be used or enjoyed by sharing with other in relay process. A person who can’t afford any newspaper,may have the scope of reading afterwards by sharing with other who can afford it. Newspaper allows a special opportunity to the readers to read it at anytime,anywhere according to readers’ choice or convenience.National newspapers are emphatically inclined towards catering urban news profoundly.There are lot of useful news remained unpublished on rurals in those papers because by and large newspaper organizations are established in cities or big towns. A small numbers of rural newspapers are trying their best in this regard, but they are not so competent in publishing all the necessary news on rural matters. Newspaper still deserves the creditibilty and respectability in our society.5.2.4; Organizational Set-up Of Newspaper;Most of the newspaper organizations either big or small, are professionally managed and handled by competent management wings to cope up with the existing rigorous competition in the market.There are different types of organizational structure are laid down that vary organization to organization to serve the own purpose.Over all, the major portion of newspaper enterprises have been following by taking to their greater consideration of such four important segments which can persue or fulfill the objectives of the newspaper organization. In some cases such consideration may differ accordingly which can depend on the size or sales volume of the respective concern. The segments are being departmentalized as follows: Editorial;, Production; Business and Administration.Editorial Department: The editorial department is considered to be the ‘heart and soul’ of any newspaper organization and that carries the successfulness and glory of the organization as well. The success of any newspaper concern depends upon the effective,competent and promt operations of the editorial department.The editorial department generally consists of three types of sectionized activities are as follows;News Room; This section collects and receives different different types of news or reports for further processing as to finalise for printing. So serious attention as well as special care is paid to every part or step on the way of finalising for presentation to the readers.News Gatherings; This section receives various news or reports from different sources like news agencies,correspondents, reporters or stringers with a view to store or gather for future uses. There are different categories under which news are segregated which are arranged by this section. The types of news are political, business and ecoomy,sports and games, science and technology, health,educational, social and others. Newsgatherings is a depot of several news or reports from where newsroom chooses and selects any news for making fit it for reading to the readers. Throughout the day, flow of news are likely to be coming in the newsgathering for retaining or preserving the same in secured place like computer specially allotted for this purpose. Daylong the computer keeps all types of news or informations in safe for retrieving all in future as to forward those to the desk for editing and final selection for presentation.Opinions And Views; The entire section is under the responsibility of editor.Because The editorial punlished in the newspaper that reflects the opinon or views of the organization on any national or international issue.So editorial must be in line with the policy of the publication company. Serioua and important articles on national or international issue are also published in the newspaper in addition to the the editorial published.News Editing: The most important task,as performed by the editorial department.under the supervision and control of the chief editor/editor.The chief editor/editor is always assisted by few numbers of sub-editors. There are several types of news or informations available from the newsgathering, which are being selected as well as processed by the sub-editors to give those news or informations proper shape under the final approval or consent of the chief editor or editor. According to present practices,there are several editors of special category like political editor,sports editor,business editor and so on, who have been engaged to look after those specialized areas for betterment and attractive presentation. News editing is an extraordinary powerful art or technique, tha can wield any good writings with a view to reconstruct after some alternation like elimination or addition as to increase the value of writings more in the sense of meaning, attraction and feedabilty to the readers.Production Department:- This department involves a greater part of any newspaper organization which starts with the composing of letters, layout and designing, page setting and finallyends with the printing of newspaper. In between this tiredless process of works,few more other responsibilities are performed. To keep the entire system of this department in regular condition,technical and maintainance wings are incorporated with it uninterruptedly.Business Department:- This department takes the greater care of all kinds of revenues earned through the selling of news papers, selling the space for advertisements. It also looks after the dealers’ commission which is payable for newspaper selling on behalf of them. This department searches and initiates further scope for fiscal gain within the concern by undertaking new and special drive. The business department pays alltime attention towards the economic growth of the concern in terms of boosting the selling of newspapers.Administrative Department.:- This department is occupied with looking after so many important matters like personnel, distribution or transportation of newspaper properly, appointment of new dealers for selling newspaper and others. It looks after the sensitive personnel affairs like recruitement, gradation of working personnels and their benefits as well.All types of grievances which appeared from the working staffs and employees, are competently mitigated by this department. It also extends greater efforts towards facilitating the distributing system as to reach the newspapers in remote or any interior places conveniently.5.3; New Trends In Press:- With the advent of new printing technology, a revolutionary change has been prevailing phenomenon that could be followed in the field of press works. At present, electronic typographical layout and designing, letter implantation and graphics as a whole, has brought a new lavel in the area of pressworks. Todays newspapers,magazines and periodicals are more brightand glittering than earlier we had. The presentation of newspaper headlines and other noticeable news are very nicely printed through different types of letters accorded with multicolours, excellently allocated boxex and tabs and splendid photographic impression. Present magazine and periodicals are too much allureable and eyecatching to the most of the people,who once turn their eyes at those magazines and periodicals, are induced to grab it for its own possession. The cover pages of magazines are so attractively designed with colourful letters and enchanting photographs, that no one can surpass It of without having it. Modern printing technology aided by computerized typographical representation have allowed such upgradation in publishing houses as well asensured qualitative products for the readers in a new style. More investment in publication area, has boosted the prices of present magazines and periodicals. A hard nut to crack competition and speedy commercialization, are prevailing phenomenon that everywhere can be experienced by us today in publication sector as well. To meet the present challenges, the publishing houses are engaged in devising so many ways, as to increase their readerships significantly. Publishing houses are intensifying their all efforts to gain the economic viability as well as independence. In doing that, themajor publishing houses are sidetracking the mission and vision of journalism.Except few ones, the major portion of magazines and periodicals are inductive as well as seductive. Contents of magazines and periodicals are indeed of cheaper quality, and that have neither good objectives nor bearing any morale or ethical values. With a view to boosting the selling of those magazines and periodicals, such resort to provocative journalism has oftenly been taken allegedly and extensively. Beside this, professional suffocation and pressure have always been dominated the journalists from revealing the truthful reports in complete manner. Contracted journalism has been entertained by the editors who wield the contents by cutting or making up for presentation to the readers. Political and commercial impacts are being avoided by this type of contracted and depraved journalism with a view to keeping the interests of the owners of the business houses ultimately. It is the reality today, that modern journalism is engaged more emphatically in amazing and pleasing the most of the readers rather than allowing them to confront the bittering truthful report in complete sense and realization.5.4 The Role Of Press: The press plays an enormous role role on behalf of our society. Ceaselessly, it keeps a close look on our society as ‘watch-dog’. Press always, pay attention and focus the required areas of the society where possible changes could be brought down. Any disordering situation that can oftenly take place in our socity i.e. politically, economically,educationally,judicially and other in so many areas, are instantly highlighted nationwide through the keen activities and competence of the press.Basically, though the press play the key roles for the society, are: (a) Providers of abundant informations and news. (b) Entertainers of amusement and pleasure. (c) Builders of institutions. (d) Furnishers of different channels of expression and interaction. (e) Motivators of new perception and idea on economy and development in the changing scenario of the society. (f) Shapers of future for the nation. (g)The press act as the most successful narrator and the best relectors of our society by presenting all types of so many events that are oftenly surpassed or overlooked by the people of the society. Press breed ‘consciousness and sense of responsibility’among the people of our society through their proper presentation and in-depth analysis. The press also, in the nick of time, bring into light every needful matter of our society, with a view to raising discussion and debate nationwide for deriving the best possible solution. The press can mould as well as constitute the attitude, culture, opinions, and views of major population of the country. In an environment of democracy,the press take a greater initiativeas well as leading part for better implementation of so many developmental works or projects those have been undertaken by the government of the state, by pointing out the errs held within the administration or in authoratitative action as to achieving the best possible results in this regard.The press, overall exist as the unwritten custodian, to look afer all about the matters those held in our society.,and act as the well- wishers of the society through its’ tiredless surveillance and advisory role that help the society to move ahead in system and order with a view to securing the desired development for the society.5.5 The Present Status Of Press:-The press at present days, are enjoying a special power in our society both economically and socially. Press today, have occupied highly dignified and powerful position within its’ range of activities in our democratic society. Pres today is not merely a publishing concern. It hold invisible power that oftenly been rewarded by our society with due respect.The big houses as well as the midium newspaper organization, have been residind on strenghhful and stable economic basement. Both big and medium newspaper concerns are economically independent and flourishing smoothly in stable manner. Both of thise two types of organization, have been collecting revenues through advertisement in increasing order day by day. Both of them are holding a control over ‘Ad market’ satisfactorily in gaining the the economic viability as well.But, the condition of small newspaper organization, is disappointing and helpless too. The major number of newspapers have been facing severe financial trouble to run their existing dealings in proper ways or means. All this small newspaper concerns are quietly unable to combat with the present competition. Lack of sufficient working capital,the small newspaper enterprises are unable to adopt the policy of modernization for the betterment of their newspaper publishing. Without having advanced technology applied to their industry, the small newspaper groups still can not embroaden their readerships as well. Their newspapers are not so nicely printed with attractive exposures.The dissemination of news in vaiety of interests or in extensively published, are not available in those newspapers.naturally readers interest can not be preserved.


5.6 Professional Discipline & Ethics Of Journalism:

In the democratic environment of our society, the ‘press’ as well as every other ‘media’ can enjoy their right to ‘freedom of expression’ profusely in exercising the role of journalism, by saying, writing and visualizing any important matter of public interest before their audience or users.. But beside this, it is experienced also that,few newspaper organizations or other media concerns have been deviated from the right track of journalism allegedly as well as intentionally, as to fulfill their own interests.Such deviant mass media concerns are utilizing their ‘privileged power’ which has been awarded in an environment of democracy, in negative mannerin the sense of retaliation or gaining advantages in our society by humiliating the morals and ideals of journalism.

The first press commission that was constituted in the year 1952,proposed to form a press council which would be a regulatory authority to look after the activities of different newspaper organizations including other media concerns. The press council is such authority which governs every media concern as it may not indulge in anykinds of negative or provocative journalism. Press council acts as a competent authority to restrict or censoring any malpractising media concern. Press council concedes as well as urges the press and the other mass media concerns to do whatsoever for the public interests and benefit as well.Press council has laid down few rulls and guidelines which is ased on its principle and decision undertaken by its governing bodies which are subject to change or amendment time to time as the situation arises on.



The most important dicision of press council that imparts as follows; It is the duty of press “ to serve the people with news,views,comments and information on the matters of public interests in fair, accurate, unbiased,sober and in decent manner….Publication of inaccurate, baseless, graceless,misleading and distorted materials should be avoided”. The second important inclusion is that the newspaper must pubish any defamatory or libelous materials against any individual or organization unless it is required so, for the public interests as well as for the sake of nation. The press council also has forbidden any intervention or intrusion on personal affairs or privacy of someone or any organization unless it is essential for the sake or interest of the public.The press council also suggests not to indulge and encourage any matter by pulishing that may bring any damage or harm to the state or society by humiliating the rights of individuals, the social harmony or order.Even also it is suggested that press should not resort to any vulgarity and obscenity throughtheir indecent presentation.

5.7 The Status And Role Of Different Classes Of Newspaper:-

National Newspaper: This group of newspapers have an extensive coverage of news on both internationally and nationally. National newspapers do possess a very strong and srengthful journalistic activities as well as wider communication tie-up with different news agencies and organizations globally.They commands and control an well devised journalistic networks throughout the country and internationally.They enjoy a lion’s share of the advertisement in the market as revenue in comparishon to others.National newspapers are so economically viable and can dominate the market considerably high.But this group of newspaprs generally avoid and surpass manymore local or rural news which are needful. National newspapers are intrincically interested in catering urban news profusely as they are located in all metro cities of the country.National newspapers generally, fail to preserve their responsibilities in highlighting many matters of deprived rural citizens of the country.

Regional Newspaper:- The regional newspapers are printed in different regional languages and published from all the big cities of the country.This types of newspapers have a combined coverage of news including both urban and rural.matters.Regional newspapers are,as written in regional languages ,plays a commandable role throughout the region in espanding their readers significantly. It ecourage as well as contribute to the enhancement of literacy through their publishings in different regional languages.This group of newspapers are economically independent moderately as they collect handsome advertisement as revenues as to run their workable condition satisfactorily.Regional newspapers are performing well in catering various news covering nationwide events.It also include in their publishings so many events pertaining to rural are as to encourage rural citizens as well as to meet the needs of rural readers.

Rural or Local Newspaper:- The status of the rural or local newspaper, is not so well as compared to others like national or regional newspaper. Major of them, are economically suppressed and are running in very miserable condition.They are publishing newspapers by adopting old printing techniques rather than adopting the present advanced printing technology as oftenly applied in both national and regional newspapers. For this reason the local newspaper organization can not combat with present competition in keeping the interests or attraction of the readers. But they perform a greater responsibility in highlighting all ins and outs of various rural events to their readers.They publish every acute problem of rural citizens as to draw the attention of state authority with a view to find the necessary solution for the same.Local newspapers act indeed comittedly, as the selfless advisor and tiredless watchdog for the rural society despite having poor earning and collection of revenue from advertisement.

5.8 The Future Of Press:-

In the presence of other potentialelectronic media like radio and television, press will be existed as strong as well as most demanded media to the larger portion of the media consumers. Press have been establishing its ground firmly through its innovative developmental measures adopted day after day as reach manymore readers strengthfully.Today’s magazines are large occupying the place of many’s drawingroom teatables.The allurable and excellent get-up of major magazines, have compelled many readers to stick with using these at least once. There are fewer ones among the literate persons or the readers who can avoid or surpass such attractive magazines without turning its pages after looking at its’ appealing cover pages. Although the price of magazines have considerably been increased that have brought constraints to the readers, the intimacy of readers with the costly magazines have not yet been thinned at all.