Language Press in India: Module - 2
Language Press in India: Module - 2
Language Press in India: Module - 2
Print Media
8
Notes
You have learnt in your earlier lesson about the beginning of newspaper pro-
duction in India. You have also learnt that the Gujarati daily Mumbai
Samachar, published in 1822 from Mumbai, is the oldest existing newspaper
in our country. We have also seen the cultural awakening and freedom
movement that led to the growth of language newspapers.
Newspapers in India can broadly be classified into two groups - English news-
papers and language newspapers. As the name indicates, English newspapers
are published in English language. They are mainly published from big cities and
towns.
Whereas language newspapers are published in different Indian languages.
Unlike the english papers, these are available even in the interior villages of the
country. Thus they have a major role in formulating public opinion across our
country.
OBJECTIVES
After studying this lesson, you will be able to do the following :
z differentiate between English and language newspapers ;
z describe the history of language papers in India ;
z explain the role played by language newspapers ;
z identify news agencies ;
z understand about freelancing, cartooning and book publishing
8.1 DEFINITION OF LANGUAGE NEWSPAPERS
By language newspapers, we mean newspapers published in different languages
spoken in the country. They are also called regional newspapers. In India, lan-
guage papers are published in more than 100 languages. But the main papers are
Notes
a) Rise in literacy rate : There is a steady rise in the literacy rates in all the
states of our country. More and more people are being initiated into the world
of reading and writing. They gradually learn to read newspapers and Notes
periodicals.
c) Untapped market : India still has an estimated 350 million people who can
read and write but do not buy any newspaper. So there is a vast segment that
is still untapped as far as newspaper circulation is considered. More and Untapped: unexplored
more newspapers are trying to woo this section.
“During 2005-06, 2074 new newspapers were registered. Four newspapers ceased
publication. As on 31st March 2006, there were 62,483 registered newspapers
on record as against 60,413 at the end of March 2005. The total circulation of
newspapers increased from 15,67,19,209 copies in 2004-05 to 18,07,38,611
copies in 2005-06. The number of newspapers submitting annual statements also
increased to 8512 from 7225 during the year.
As per the data from Annual Statements received, the highest number of
newspapers were published in Hindi (4131), followed by English (864), Gujarati
(775), Urdu (463) Bengali (445), and Marathi (328)
In circulation, Hindi newspapers continued to lead with 7,66,98,490 copies
followed by English with 3,41,06,816 copies. Gujarati Press with 98,44,710 copies
came third. Urdu and Malayalam language press closely followed with 92,17,892
and 82,06,227 copies respectively. Among language dailies, Hindi led with 942
newspapers followed by 201 in English. The languages that published more than
100 daily newspapers were - Urdu (191), Telugu (147) Marathi (130) and Gujarati
(100).
1. What are the differences between English papers and language papers.
3. What are the factors which helped the growth of language papers.