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News Agencies: REP

May 1, 2025

News Agencies: REP


(last updated on 28th March 2025, 11:18 PM)

Content List

Introduction

News Agency: Meaning 

Synonyms of News Agency

Origin of News Agencies

Reason for Growth

Relevance of News Agencies

Forms of a News Agency

Functions of a News Agency

How are News Agencies Different from News Organisations

Major News Agencies in India and Abroad

Challenges Faced by News Agencies


Introduction

This research delves into the importance and functions of news agencies; their characteristics and major news agencies in India. The material also discusses how news agencies are different from news organisations, the financial aspect of news agencies, scope and challenges.

News Agency: Meaning 

According to Britannica, a news agency is an organization that gathers, writes, and distributes news from around a nation or the world to newspapers, periodicals, radio and television broadcasters, government agencies, and other users. 

It does not generally publish news itself but supplies news to its subscribers, who, by sharing costs, obtain services they could not otherwise afford. All the mass media depend upon the agencies for the bulk of the news, even including those few that have extensive news-gathering resources of their own.

Synonyms of News Agency

According to thesaurus, a news agency is also called a news service, press agency, news wire or a wire service. 

Origin of News Agency

1832: Charles Havas started the world’s first news agency, Bureau Havas in France, running a lithographic news service to collect and translate news stories from foreign press.

1835: Havas renamed his agency Agence Havas, providing services to newspapers, bankers, and the French government.

1848: Associated Press (AP) was formed by six newspapers in New York as a solution to beat the high cost of telegraphy, with strict restrictions on membership.

1849: Bernhard Wolff, a colleague of Paul Julius Reuter working at Havas, founded Wolff in Prussia (Germany), making it one of the three major news agencies.

1851: Israel Beer Josaphat, a German Jew, who later became known as Paul Julius Reuter, having worked as a sub-editor with Havas in Paris, founded his own news agency, Reuters, in London.

1865: Reuters, Agence Havas, and Wolff formed a European cartel, agreeing to divide exclusive territories for their operations. Uncovered areas were considered neutral territory where any of them could operate. Associated Press was a participating member of this cartel for many decades.

1907: The exclusiveness of AP led to the formation of United Press Association (UPA), which later became United Press International (UPI) in 1959.

World War I: Wolff could not survive the aftermath of World War I.

1949: After World War II, the present German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) was established, succeeding the Deutsche Nachrichtenagentur. Based in Hamburg, it grew into a major worldwide news operation in German, English, Spanish, and Arabic languages.

Post-World War II: After several developments and changes of hands, Agence Havas became Agence France-Presse (AFP), which is still known by that name today.


Reasons for Growth 

Emerging freedom of the press in Germany, political turmoil in France, booming stock market across Europe, spreading of territorial colonialism, laying of the world’s first undersea cable between Dover and Calais in November 1851 and the dynamic movements in history of the world across theAtlantic and elsewhere created the best scenario for bulk and fast movement of news. Newspapers managed the show with a few correspondents but with several drawbacks. Limited finance, means, manpower and resources of newspapers came in the way of wider coverage of news. Onlya handful of newspapers could afford to station correspondents at various places for coverage of news. Instead of each newspaper spending money to get the same news, a news agency could gather the news and distribute it to the newspapers at a fraction of a cost. As the proverbial “ need is the mother of invention”, a new system of gathering of news– News Agencies- sprouted with fledgling problems but sure enough to hit the market with a bang. The idea of the News Agency, therefore, emerged as the solution for better informedness in the fast changing world. The operation was galvanised with the world witnessing political upheavals and huge unprecedented technological advancements.

Relevance of News Agencies

News agencies have been crucial to the media landscape, playing a significant role in gathering and distributing news globally. The foundation of modern news agencies, such as Agence Havas in 1832 (later known as AFP), Reuters in 1851, and Associated Press (AP) in 1848, laid the groundwork for centralized news collection and distribution. Their relevance can be examined through the following roles:

Gathering and Distributing News: News agencies collect news from various locations and distribute it to media outlets, ensuring that news is accessible to television, radio, newspapers, and online platforms worldwide.

Fostering Global Communication: With the establishment of the first international news agencies like Reuters, AFP, and Wolff, cross-border communication became faster and more efficient, helping people stay informed about global events.

Providing a Centralized Source of Information: Since their inception, news agencies have served as a reliable, centralized source of information for media outlets. This structure ensures that the public receives news about events that would otherwise be hard to reach, such as the European cartel formed by Reuters, Havas, and Wolff in 1865 to divide exclusive territories for news reporting.

Ensuring Accuracy and Verification: In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly, news agencies like AP and Reuters prioritize accuracy and verification. Their dedicated fact-checking teams ensure that the news stories they distribute are reliable.

Providing a Platform for Local News: By offering coverage of regional and local events, news agencies contribute to a more inclusive news ecosystem, enriching both national and international media with local perspectives.

Supporting Democratic Processes: By delivering timely, accurate news, agencies such as United Press International (UPI) and DPA (Germany) contribute to informed public discourse, essential for the functioning of democratic societies.

Adapting to Technological Changes: News agencies have embraced digital technologies to provide real-time updates in multimedia formats—text, video, images, and live broadcasts—adapting to the changing media landscape.

Working with Media Outlets: News agencies maintain a symbiotic relationship with media outlets by providing raw content. Media outlets like newspapers and broadcasters then use this information to shape their own news stories.

Shaping Perceptions and Influencing Decisions: Through their reporting, news agencies frame important issues and influence public opinion and decisions. However, they must balance this responsibility with objectivity, avoiding sensationalism and bias.

Forms of a News Agency

The news agency has a variety of forms. 

In some large cities, newspapers and radio and television stations have joined forces to obtain routine coverage of news about the police, courts, government offices, and the like. National agencies have extended the area of such coverage by gathering and distributing stock-market quotations, sports results, and election reports. 

There are some agencies that publish government news. Such agencies are known as Government Agencies. A few agencies have extended their service to include worldwide news. The service has grown to include news interpretation, special columns, news photographs, audiotape recordings for radio broadcast, and often videotape or motion-picture film for television news reports. 

Many agencies are cooperatives, and the trend has been in that direction since World War II. Under this form of organization, individual members provide news from their own circulation areas to an agency pool for general use.  In major news centres the national and worldwide agencies have their own reporters to cover important events, and they maintain offices to facilitate distribution of their service.

In addition to general news agencies, several specialized services have developed. In the United States alone these number well over 100, including such major ones as Science Service, Religious News Service, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, and News Election Service. Specialized services in other countries include the Swiss Katholische Internationale Presseagentur, which reports news of special interest to Roman Catholics, and the Star News Agency of Pakistan, which supplies news of Muslim interest in English and Urdu.

The major press associations in the USA have expanded their service to include entertainment features, and some feature syndicates provide straight news coverage as a part of their service. The Newspaper Enterprise Association distributes both news and features in the United States.

Functions of a News Agency

The primary function of a news agency is to gather information from a wide range of sources and deliver it quickly to clients. Agencies operate on a global scale, with correspondents stationed worldwide to report on events as they unfold.

 The content produced by a news agency typically includes breaking news, political developments, economic updates, sports reports, and international affairs. These agencies are also equipped to distribute the service almost instantaneously. 

The world agencies have established a variety of relationships with other agencies and with individual news media. Most of them purchase the news services of national or local agencies to supplement news gathered by their own staff representatives at key points.

News agency was described earlier as an organisation that collects and distributes news to newspapers, magazines and broadcasters. But this definition doesn’t fit into today’s world. 

They Have diversified their operations fromjust news suppliers to several other income earning services to survive the competition in the present high tech world. 

Apart from distributing news to newspapers, these days they supply news and video footage to TV news broadcasters, news and information texts to mobile phone services and operate online web news services. Some of them are advertisers and publishers too. 

Therefore, the News Agency can be described as an organisation that gathers news items, photos and news video footage and market and other information of interest to the people and distributes them to newspapers, magazines, Radio and Television broadcasters, mobile phones, government agencies and other subscribers. These are also referred to as a wire service, newswire or news service.

How are News Agencies Different from News Organisations? 

News agencies are responsible for collecting and distributing news. News Organisations use the news provided by these agencies, along with their own correspondents' reports, to print, publish, and sell newspapers to customers. News agencies operate as wholesalers, supplying the same news to various news organisations, while news organisations serve as retailers, using the news exclusively for their publications.

News agencies earn revenue from subscriptions paid by news organisations, which helps cover their operational costs. News organisations, in turn, generate income through paper sales and advertisements to sustain their operations.

Correspondents working for news agencies generally do not receive credit for their stories, except in special circumstances. However, news organisations typically give credit to their own correspondents for their contributions.

How Does a News Agency Operate? 

News agencies are essential organizations within the media industry, responsible for gathering, producing, and distributing news to various media outlets. They are primarily operated by professional journalists, including editors, reporters, and correspondents. In addition to these key roles, they also employ photojournalists and cameramen who play a significant role in covering news events visually. 

This visual coverage is vital, especially in today’s fast-paced news environment, where news organizations increasingly demand multimedia content to engage audiences across multiple platforms.

The content created by news agencies spans a wide range of formats and topics, catering to the needs of their diverse client base. These agencies prepare both hard news (straightforward, factual reporting on significant events such as political developments or natural disasters) and soft news (features, human interest stories, and lighter content). They also create in-depth feature articles, video footage, and other forms of multimedia content to be sold to other news organizations, such as newspapers, television networks, and digital media platforms.

One of the advantages of news agencies is their global reach. In addition to the news gathered by their own correspondents, many news agencies collaborate with other international news agencies. These partnerships enable them to exchange news stories and gain access to a vast amount of content from different parts of the world. This cooperation benefits both parties, as it allows them to share resources and tap into a broader pool of information, ensuring comprehensive news coverage. For example, a national news agency might partner with a global news agency like Reuters or the Associated Press to receive international news reports that are beyond the scope of its local correspondents.

In the modern digital age, news agencies deliver their content electronically. The articles, news stories, and multimedia content are distributed in bulk through computer networks or the internet, reaching their subscribers through subscription services. This system ensures that news organizations can access up-to-date, real-time news feeds that they can incorporate into their publications or broadcasts. These subscriptions provide news agencies with a steady revenue stream, which is essential for sustaining their operations and maintaining the high standards of journalism expected from them.

Historically, before the advent of digital technology, the distribution process was much more labor-intensive. News was transmitted through wire services, which involved sending news stories via telegraphy. This method relied on teleprinters, machines installed at the subscribers’ offices, that received the text of the news stories, printing them out for the newsroom to process. While this was an effective means of communication in its time, it was far slower and less efficient than the instantaneous digital distribution we have today.

Over time, news agencies have evolved in tandem with technological advancements, but their fundamental role in the media ecosystem remains unchanged. They continue to be a crucial intermediary between the events happening around the world and the news organizations that report on them to the public. Their ability to gather, verify, and distribute news across different media outlets ensures that the global population stays informed about important developments, regardless of geographic location.

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Major News Agencies in India and Abroad

News agencies have been a cornerstone of modern journalism, playing a critical role in the collection, production, and distribution of news content to audiences across the globe. These agencies serve as intermediaries between news sources and media outlets, providing time-to-time coverage of breaking news events, in-depth investigative reporting, and analysis of political, social, and economic trends.

Over the years, news agencies have evolved in response to changes in technology, markets, and social contexts, adapting their services to meet the changing needs of the media industry and the public. Today, they represent a diverse range of agencies, from Sarkari news agency to international ones such as Reuters and Agence France-Presse to local news serving specific communities. Here we will explore types of news agencies in the modern era and their function in shaping how we consume and understand the news. In addition candidates can also check Staitic GK to get all the related information about general knowledge. 

List of News Agencies in India

Several news agencies in India provide news coverage and services to the media industry and the public. Here is the list of news agencies in India and their establishment year.

News Agencies in India

Established 

Location 

Press Trust of India (PTI)

1947

New Delhi 

United News of India (UNI)

1961

New Delhi 

Indo-Asian News Service (IANS)

1986

New Delhi 

Asian News International (ANI)

1971

New Delhi 

Hindustan Samachar

1948

New Delhi 

India has a vibrant and diverse media industry, with different news agencies providing coverage to a wide range of topics such as business and sports, entertainment and politics. Below we have discussed some of the best news agencies in India.

Press Trust of India 

Established in 1947, PTI is India's oldest and largest news agency. It provides news coverage and services in both English and Hindi and has a network of correspondents and offices across the country. 

Over 200 Indian newspapers have subscribed to the PTI service, including Doordarshan and the government.

This new agency has coverage of different world capitals like the USA, Moscow, Colombo, Africa, and the UK.

It provides a vast range of tele networks, employing many journalists worldwide.

The PTI has won numerous awards for its journalism, including the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award and the International News Services Award.

The PTI is accomplished by a Board of Directors, and its current Chairman is N. Ravi, a former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu newspaper.

United News of India 

UNI is another major news agency in India, established in 1961. Sponsored by 8 national dailies, UNI offers news coverage in English, Hindi, and other Indian languages and has a presence in several Indian cities.

This news agency has also partnered with many international news agencies in the USA, Germany, Italy, etc., to provide global news on your TV. 

UNI has also started a great initiatives like Agricultural service, and Economic services to cater to the special needs of their subscribers. 

UNI is known for its unbiased and accurate reporting, and its news content is trusted by a varied range of readers, media outlets, and other stakeholders.

UNI also provides news content to various electronic, print and digital media outlets across India and the world.

 UNI is headquartered in New Delhi, India, and has area offices in major cities across the country.

Asian News International 

Established in 1971, ANI is a leading news agency in India. Provides coverage in both English and Hindi and has a network of bureaus and correspondents across India. ANI is also the first news agency in India to have syndicated video news in India. 

ANI has a rich history of criticizing government propaganda, fake news networks and various misreporting coverages.

ANI covers an extensive range of topics including national and international news, business, politics, sports, entertainment, and technology.

ANI has won numerous awards and tributes for its quality of news coverage, including the Indian Television Academy Award for Best News Coverage.

It is a member of the International News Services, a network of important news agencies around the world.

ANI provides news in multiple languages including English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and Marathi.

Indo-Asian News Service 

It is a private news agency in India, established in 1986. IANS has a presence in several Indian cities, providing both Hindi and English news. With the collaboration of global network correspondents, it also covers international news.

 Being a leading news agency, IANS plays a key role in shaping public opinion and awareness of different issues of national and international importance.

IANS provides news content to several media outlets, including television channels, newspapers and digital media platforms. It also offers real-time news updates, photo and video content, and analysis.

This Indian news agency has clients in India and abroad, including newspapers, television channels, news agencies and digital media platforms.

It covers news and events from India and worldwide, emphasising politics, entertainment, business, sports, and technology.

IANS has won several awards for journalism, including the National Award for Excellence in Journalism from the Press Council of India.

Hindustan Samachar

A prominent news agency in India, Hindustan Samachar, was established in 1948. Offers news coverage and services in both English and Hindi and has a network of offices across the country. 

Being a regional news agency, Hindustan Samachar provides coverage of events and issues that may not receive as much attention from national news outlets.

Hindustan Samachar covers news and events from India and worldwide, focusing on sports, politics, business, entertainment, and social issues.

It is a privately held company, with the Singh family as the majority shareholders.

It has a strong online presence, with its news content on its website and through social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.

Hindustan Samachar claims to uphold strict editorial independence and neutrality in its news coverage, and the principles of fairness, accuracy, and objectivity guide its editorial policy.

List of News Agencies in World 

From new coverage based on financial markets to political parties, there are innumerable types of international news agencies across the world. These news agencies play a huge impact both directly and indirectly in people's lives. Here is the list of the world's best news agencies and their country.

News Agencies in World

Country 

Established 

Associated Press 

United States

1846

REUTERS 

United Kingdom 

1851

TASS

Russia 

1902

BERNAMA

Malaysia 

1967

ANSA

Italy 

1945

ITIM

Thailand 

1949

Agence France-Presse

France

1835

XINHUA

China

1931

KYODO

Japan

1945

ANTARA

Indonesia 

1937

Islamic Republic News Agency 

Iran

1934

Deutsche Presse-Agentur 

Germany 

1949

WAFA

Palestine 

1972

Australian Associated Press

Australia 

1935

NOVOSTI

Russia 

1918

Middle East News Agency 

Egypt 

1955

United Press International 

USA

1907

There are various news agencies in the world covering diversified topics. Here we have discussed the popular international news agencies in the world.

Associated Press 

Founded in 1846, it is one of the oldest news agencies in the world. It is a non-profit cooperative, Sarkari news agency owned by its member newspapers and broadcasters. This press covers news from around the world, including breaking news, politics, sports, entertainment, and business.

The AP's content is circulated to its member news organizations, which can use the material to increase their reporting.

It is one of the world's most respected and trusted news organizations.

The AP offers news coverage on a global scale, with over 2,000 journalists in more than 250 locations worldwide.

This international news agency mission is to enlighten the world with accurate, timely, and impartial news.

The AP has won frequent awards for its journalism, including multiple Pulitzer Prizes.

Reuters

Provide news from worldwide, focusing mainly on financial and business news. Established in 1851, Reuters is a British news agency in the UK. It is owned by the Thomson Reuters corporation and provides news to media outlets, businesses, and other organizations.

Reuters has won several awards for its journalism, including 30 Pulitzer Prizes.

Reuters has more than 2,500 journalists and 600 photographers in more than 200 locations worldwide. And it originated in London in 1851 by Paul Reuter, a German-born businessman.

Its journalists cover many topics, including business, finance, politics, and sports.

Some of its most famous scoops include the declaration of the armistice at the end of World War I, the first pictures of the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the first news of the death of Osama bin Laden.

Thomson Reuters also offers financial information and other services to businesses and governments worldwide.

Agence France-Presse

Founded in 1835, AFP is a French news agency that provides news coverage in several languages, including English, French, Spanish, and Arabic. It covers broad topics on politics, business, sports, and culture impartially.

AFP is a not-for-profit organization, funded by the French government.

It is known for its complete coverage of events in France and its former colonies. It is also familiar for its reporting on crises, conflicts and major world events, such as the wars in Iraq and Syria, the Arab Spring, and the refugee crisis in Europe.

AFP offers other services, including video and photo production, data and analysis, and training for journalists.

AFP operates in six languages, including French, Spanish, English, German, Arabic, and Portuguese.

It has more than 200 bureaus in 150 countries, making it one of the largest news agencies in the world.

Xinhua News Agency

Xinhua is an official news agency of China, established in 1931. It Is the largest news agency that provides news coverage in Chinese and several other languages. Along with the coverage of a wide range of topics, this new agency has a distribution network related to the government and the Chinese ruling party.

Xinhua News Agency offers a range of news services, including photo, text, and video news, as well as online news and mobile news services.

Xinhua News Agency is known for encouraging the political agenda of the Chinese government. Its news coverage often reflects the views of the government, and it has been suspect of spreading propaganda.

This international news agency has a global presence, with news bureaus in more than 160 countries and regions.

Xinhua News Agency is at the vanguard of using new technology in journalism.

Xinhua News Agency has an important presence on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Kyodo News

Kyodo News is a Japanese news agency that provides news coverage in Japanese and English. It was founded in 1945 in the aftermath of World War II. Because of its commitment to accuracy and impartiality, Kyodo has become a leading news agency in Asia.

The strength of Kyodo is its focus on accurate and impartial news coverage.

Kyodo News has won numerous awards for its journalism, including the Pulitzer Prize in 2016 for its analytical reporting on the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

It is known for its groundbreaking use of technology in news reporting, including drones for aerial footage, 360-degree cameras for immersive reporting, and AI for data analysis and news curation.

Kyodo News provides news coverage on an extensive range of topics, including business, politics, technology, sports, entertainment, and international news.

Kyodo News has bureaus in major cities worldwide, including Washington D.C., Beijing, New York, London, Paris, Seoul, Bangkok, and Singapore.

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Challenges Faced by News Agencies

News agencies, which serve as the backbone of global journalism, face numerous challenges in today’s fast-paced and evolving media landscape. Technological advancements, economic and financial pressures, misinformation, political and editorial influences, and changes in audience behavior all combine to shape how news agencies operate in the era of globalization and digital media. These factors have not only transformed how news is produced and distributed but also posed significant challenges for agencies striving to maintain their relevance, credibility, and financial stability.

Technological Advancements

The rapid rise of digital platforms, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI) has created both opportunities and challenges for news agencies. Historically, news agencies served as gatekeepers of information, but the proliferation of social media has disrupted this role. Today, information is available instantly through social networks, blogs, and online forums, often bypassing traditional news agencies. This real-time accessibility creates intense competition for breaking news, forcing agencies to continuously update their operations and embrace technological innovations.

Furthermore, technological advancements have led to changes in content consumption. Audiences now expect multimedia formats, such as videos, images, and infographics, in addition to text-based reports. News agencies must adopt a multi-platform approach to ensure their content is accessible across various devices and platforms. However, this adaptation requires significant investment in technology, skills, and infrastructure, which can strain the agency’s financial resources.

Another emerging challenge is the role of AI and automation in journalism. While these tools can help streamline the news-gathering process and enhance efficiency, they also pose ethical and practical challenges. News agencies must balance the use of automated tools with the need for human oversight to ensure accuracy, nuance, and credibility in reporting. Automation alone cannot replace the critical thinking and investigative skills of human journalists.

Economic and Financial Pressures

The financial model of traditional news agencies has been severely disrupted by the digital revolution. Historically, agencies generated revenue through subscriptions, licensing, and advertising. However, with the rise of free online content, paid subscriptions have declined, and the digital advertising market has become increasingly competitive. This has resulted in shrinking profit margins, leaving many news agencies struggling to stay financially viable.

To combat these economic pressures, news agencies have been forced to implement cost-cutting measures, such as downsizing staff, reducing international coverage, or merging operations with other media organizations. While these actions help manage short-term financial strains, they can also weaken the agency’s ability to provide comprehensive and high-quality news coverage. For instance, cutting back on foreign bureaus or investigative journalism can result in a lack of depth in reporting, limiting the agency’s influence and credibility in the global media landscape.

Additionally, news agencies face the challenge of balancing commercial interests with editorial independence. In an effort to boost revenues, agencies may face pressure to produce more sensationalist or clickbait content that attracts larger audiences. However, this can undermine their reputation as trusted, reliable news sources, leading to a loss of public trust.

Disinformation and Misinformation

One of the most pressing challenges faced by news agencies today is the widespread dissemination of disinformation and misinformation. With the advent of social media, false information can spread rapidly, often outpacing legitimate news reports. News agencies must work tirelessly to combat this by ensuring their reports are thoroughly verified and fact-checked. However, this requires significant resources, time, and manpower—factors that can strain an agency’s capacity to deliver timely news in an era where speed is paramount.

Misinformation also undermines public trust in media institutions. As fake news stories become more prevalent, audiences may become skeptical of even legitimate news sources. News agencies, therefore, need to double down on transparency, accuracy, and ethical journalism to differentiate themselves from unreliable outlets. This includes investing in dedicated fact-checking teams, training journalists in digital literacy, and collaborating with technology companies to prevent the spread of false information.

Political and Editorial Pressures

In many regions, news agencies operate in environments where political and editorial pressures are significant challenges. Governments, corporations, or interest groups may attempt to influence news coverage to align with their agendas. News agencies must navigate these pressures carefully, as yielding to external influences can compromise their editorial independence and credibility.

In some countries, news agencies face the risk of censorship or government intervention, which can limit their ability to report on sensitive issues such as corruption, human rights violations, or political unrest. This suppression of information undermines the public’s right to access impartial and accurate news. Moreover, even in democratic nations, media consolidation and ownership structures can introduce biases into news reporting, further complicating the role of news agencies in delivering objective information.

Audience Fragmentation and Changing Consumption Habits

News agencies also face the challenge of adapting to rapidly changing audience preferences and consumption habits. As audiences increasingly turn to personalized news feeds and shorter content formats, traditional news agencies must find ways to engage these fragmented audiences. The rise of mobile apps, social media, and online platforms has given individuals more control over what news they consume, often at the expense of long-form, in-depth journalism.

To stay relevant, news agencies must cater to these new preferences by offering concise, visually engaging content while maintaining the depth and integrity of their reporting. This balance is critical in an era where attention spans are shrinking, and consumers are bombarded with a constant flow of information.

In today’s globalized and technologically advanced world, news agencies face numerous challenges. From adapting to technological changes and navigating financial pressures to combating misinformation and resisting political influences, news agencies must continuously evolve to maintain their relevance, credibility, and impact. Despite these hurdles, news agencies remain vital to the dissemination of reliable, accurate, and timely information, shaping public discourse and fostering informed societies.

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REP: PAID NEWS: Press Council of India

Paid News can be defined as “Any news or analysis appearing in any media (print and electronic) for a price in cash or kind as a consideration”.

The election time paid news phenomenon has three dimensions:

The reader or the viewer does not get a correct picture of the personality or performance of the candidate in whose favor or against he decides to cast his vote. This destroys the very essence of democracy.

Contesting candidates perhaps do not show it in the election’s expenses account thereby violating The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, framed by the Election Commission of India under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Those newspapers which received the money in cash but did not disclose it in their official statements of accounts have violated the Companies Act, 1956 as well as the Income Tax Act, 1961 besides other laws.

The Election Commission of India vide letter no. 491/Paid News/2019 dated 04.06.2019 has shared the actions to be taken in the established/confirmed cases of paid news as follows:

Name of the candidate (and not the media house) shall be published on CEOs website in appropriate manner.

Name of the print and electronic media, with all the details of the paid news items shall be forwarded to Press Council of India (PCI) and News Broadcasters Association (NBA) by the Commission (and not by the O/o CEO) after obtaining it from the CEOs concerned.

Apr 17, 2025

Juxtapose 2025

April 15-16, 2025 

Juxtapose serves as a space for deep academic engagement and meaningful dialogue. Each year, we explore a theme that pushes us to question, analyze, and understand. This year’s theme—“Media Multiverse”—examines the evolving role of media in shaping our realities, especially in this age of fragmented narratives and shifting platforms.

Apr 16, 2025

खबरों के शोर में इंसानियत की आवाजें: Prabhat Khabar: 15 April, 2025




तेईस साल का बेटा अपने माता-पिता और 20 साल की बहन की हत्या करता है, फिर सुबह की सैर पर निकल जाता है. घर लौटने पर वह एक कहानी गढ़ता है. पुलिस को फोन करता है और कहता है कि उसकी गैरमौजूदगी में किसी ने उसके घर में इतनी भयंकर वारदात कर दी है. दिल्ली पुलिस जांच में जुटती है और कुछ ही घंटों बाद इस नतीजे पर पहुंचती है कि इन हत्याओं को अंजाम देने वाला खुद यही युवक था. नौ जुलाई, 2024 को दिल्ली की गीता कॉलोनी के पास 38 साल के एक व्यक्ति को 100 दुर्लभ और संरक्षित कछुए के बच्चों के साथ गिरफ्तार किया गया. ये सारे कछुए एक बैग में ठूंसे हुए थे और एक दोपहिया वाहन पर ले जाये जा रहे थे. जब पुलिस ने वाहन को रोका, तो एक बड़े काले रंग के बैग में बहुत सारे कछुए ठुंसे हुए थे. पुलिस ने इन कछुओं को तुरंत एक पुलिस स्टेशन में ले जाकर पानी से भरी बाल्टियों में रखा. छोटे-छोटे उन कछुओं को बाद में कड़कड़डुमा अदालत में जज के सामने पेश किया गया. आरोपी को भी अदालत में पेश किया गया. पुलिस ने देखा कि इतने दिनों से बैग में बंद रहने के कारण कछुओं की हालत बदतर थी. पुलिस ने उन्हें तुरंत पानी में रखा और उनके लिए पानी, बीज और फल का इंतजाम किया. शाम को उन कछुओं को असोला भट्टी वन्यजीव अभयारण्य ले जाया गया. इस तरह से उन कछुओं को बचा लिया गया और इस कहानी का सुखद अंत हुआ.

सोलह जनवरी, 2022 को शुरू हुई सच्ची और संजीदा कहानियों के इस पिटारे का नाम है- ‘किस्सा खाकी का’. यह देश के किसी भी पुलिस विभाग की पहली पॉडकास्ट सीरीज है, जिसका संचालन और प्रस्तुतिकरण दिल्ली पुलिस करती है. कहानियां लोगों को जोड़ने का काम करती हैं, यह बात पुलिस ने भी समझी. वर्ष 2022 में जब ‘किस्सा खाकी का’ की शुरुआत को मंजूरी दी गयी, तब किसी को भी इस बात का इल्म नहीं था कि देखते ही देखते कहानियों का यह पिटारा पुलिस स्टाफ के मनोबल को इस कदर बढ़ाएगा और लोगों के दिलों में जगह बनाने लगेगा. अब तक हुए तमाम अंकों में हर बार किसी ऐसे किस्से को चुना गया, जो किसी अपराध के सुलझने या फिर मानवीयता से जुड़ा हुआ था.

दिल्ली पुलिस अपने सोशल मीडिया के विविध मंचों पर हर रविवार को दोपहर दो बजे एक नयी कहानी रिलीज करती है. आकाशवाणी भी अब इन पॉडकास्ट को अपने मंच पर सुनाने लगी है. दिल्ली पुलिस ने अपने मुख्यालय में ‘किस्सा खाकी का’ एक सेल्फी पॉइंट बना दिया है, ताकि स्टाफ यहां पर अपनी तस्वीरें ले सके और प्रेरित हो सके. आवाज की उम्र चेहरे की उम्र से ज्यादा लंबी होती है. ‘तिनका-तिनका जेल रेडियो’ जेलों की आवाजों को आगे लाने का काम एक लंबे समय से कर रहा है. ‘किस्सा खाकी का’ और ‘तिनका-तिनका जेल रेडियो’, ये दोनों पॉडकास्ट भारत के अनूठे और नवीन पॉडकास्ट हैं. मार्च महीने में ‘तिनका जेल’ पॉडकास्ट ने अपने 99 अंक पूरे किये. इन दोनों पॉडकास्ट की सफलता की कुंजी इनके नयेपन, सकारात्मकता और गतिमयता में है. कंटेंट खालिस हो, तो वह हौले-हौले अपनी जगह बनाने की आश्वस्ति देता ही है. यही वजह है कि शॉट्स की भीड़ और मसालेदार खबरों के शोर में इंसानियत की आवाजें उठने लगी हैं. आवाजों की ये कोशिशें इस अंधेरे संसार में दीया बन रही हैं. लेकिन यह मानना होगा कि जिस तेजी से झूठ वायरल होता है, मनोरंजन और मसाला बिकता है, उतने ही धीमे ढंग से जिंदगी की नर्माहट स्वीकारी जाती है. जेल और पुलिस, दोनों का परिचय अंधेरे से है. दोनों के साथ पारंपरिक तौर से नकारात्मकता की छवियां जुड़ी हैं. अंग्रेजों के जमाने से चली आ रही इन क्रूर छवियों को तोड़ना चुनौती है. दूसरे, समाज जिस आसानी से बाजारी प्रचार से मिली खबरों को पलकों में बिठाता है, वैसा उन कहानियों के साथ नहीं होता, जिनसे सिर्फ संवेदना जुड़ी होती है. दुनिया शायद ऐसे ही चलती है.

बहरहाल, समय की गुल्लक में ऐसी कहानियों का जमा होना तिनका भर उम्मीद को बड़ा विस्तार तो देता ही है. लेकिन सच्ची और संजीदा कहानियों की कुछ सीमाएं भी होती हैं. मसालेदार स्वाद का आदी हो चुका दर्शक-श्रोता कई बार सीधी-सादी कहानियों का ज्यादा स्वाद नहीं ले पाता. जिस तरह से दूरदर्शन की छवि को उसके सरकारीपन से जोड़ कर दर्शक उसके पक्ष को कई बार नजरअंदाज करके शोर भरे चैनलों को तरजीह देने लगता है, ठीक वैसे ही बिना हंगामे के अपनी बात कहते ‘किस्सा खाकी का’ और ‘तिनका जेल रेडियो’ जैसे पॉडकास्ट वायरल नहीं होते. लेकिन इससे इन पॉडकास्ट के वजूद के होने की वजह कम नहीं होती. सेहतमंद कंटेंट और सेहतमंद खाना एक उम्र और समझदारी के बाद ही जिंदगी में शामिल हो पाता है.

(ये लेखिका के निजी विचार हैं.)

आलेख के प्रकाशन के लिए प्रभात खबर और आशुतोष जी का शुक्रिया।

Apr 13, 2025

Media Laws and Ethics: An Introduction to Legal and Ethical Issues in Journalism: 2018: Book Review

EDITOR: Dr. Vartika Nanda

PUBLISHER: Kanishka Publishers Distributors 

ISBN : 978-81-8457-833-1

YEAR: 2018

PAGES:227

PRICE: ₹750

“ With the media conducting trials and announcing the conviction of an accused as guilty takes away the chance of the innocent to prove otherwise. Even if the court releases the accused as innocent in the case, he becomes the victim of the media trial, ruining his reputation in public eye” (Page 50)

Why to read this book:

Media Laws and Ethics: An Introduction to Legal and Ethical Issues in Journalism by Dr. Vartika Nanda is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to understand the legal and ethical framework that shapes journalism in India. Covering twelve chapters, the book discusses key issues like media ownership, sting operations, media trials, privacy, and self-regulation. It combines insights from experienced scholars and journalists, making complex topics more accessible.

Case Studies:

One of the strengths of this book is its use of real-life case studies to explain ethical dilemmas. The Aarushi Talwar case is a prime example of how media trials can influence public opinion before a court’s verdict. Similarly, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks coverage raised concerns about live reporting, as sensitive information broadcasted on TV may have aided the attackers. These cases highlight the responsibility that comes with journalism.

The intersection of Law and Ethics:

The book dives into important legal aspects of journalism, including defamation, contempt of court, and paid news. It also discusses how corporate influence can affect editorial independence, with Professor Keval J. Kumar explaining how “private treaties” between media houses and businesses can lead to biased reporting.

Understanding Indian Media Laws:

Unlike many books that focus on Western media laws,Media Laws and Ethics is rooted in the Indian legal framework. It has references of the laws like the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act and discusses landmark cases such as the Section 66A verdict, making it highly relevant for Indian journalism students and media professionals.

Media Glossary and Student Contributions:

A unique feature of this book is the inclusion of a media glossary and contributions from some of the students of Lady Shri Ram College, who helped compile case studies and key concepts. This makes the book more engaging and relatable for students, offering a fresh perspective on media laws and ethics. Credit given to them in the book is another inspiration for the students. 

Conclusion:

The book provides legal knowledge and encourages critical thinking about journalism’s ethical responsibilities. With discussion points at the end of each chapter, it pushes readers to reflect on real-world media challenges.

With its balanced mix of legal explanations, ethical discussions, and real-world examples, Media Laws And Ethics is an essential read for journalism students, educators, and aspiring media professionals. It helps readers understand the fine line between press freedom and journalistic responsibility, making it a must-read for anyone entering the field.

Written By:

Jiya Gupta

Semester 2

B.A. (Hons.) Journalism

Lady Shri Ram College for Women

Delhi University 

Links related to this book:

https://vartikananda.com/books/media-laws-and-ethics/

https://vartikananda.com/category/media-laws-and-ethics/

https://vartikananda.blogspot.com/2021/04/media-ethics-and-law-journalism.html

Apr 8, 2025

Media aur Bazar: Vartika Nanda: Year 2018

Editor: Dr. Vartika Nanda

Publisher: Samayik Book


ISBN: 978-93-80458-96-0


Year: 2018


Pages: 176


Price: ₹400


Media Aur Bazar is a crucial book pertaining in the field of journalism, written by 11media professionals of our contemporary times Vartika Nanda, Dilip Mandal, Sweta Singh, Sarika Kalra, Jai Singh, Rekha Sethi, Jaideep Karnik, Priyabhanshu Ranjan, Bageshree Chakradhar, Rahul Dev and Priyadarsan. This book is edited by Vartika Nanda who is a professor, writer and prison reformer. It was published by Samayik Books in 2018. 


This book is an important reading for those who are interested in media and its related fields, especially for students studying journalism, film, advertising and marketing. It provides a comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the topics from its origin to current scenarios which is important for concept building. As it is written in simple Hindi, it is easy to comprehend and gain a holistic idea.


The Chapters 


It has nine chapters, each chapter has been written by experts, critically analysing the relations of news media with market, public relations, democracy, advertising, cinema, social media etc. It attempts to answer many important questions like how do society, politics, media and market relate and influence each other? How does liberalisation of the Indian economy in 1991 change the ownership, objectivity and relationship of the media? How have government and private players used it to set their own agendas?


Patrakarita aur public relation: Ek duje ke liye is the first chapter, written by Dilip Manda, provides a comprehensive understanding of public relations from its beginning to contemporary day in India and other countries with the help of various case studies and figures. It explains its relationship with journalism, advertising and new media. It also explains how PR works in the favour of influential people and big companies. 


Bazarwad aur media is the second chapter, written by Shveta Singh. She has been working as a reporter, producer and anchor with various news channels for more than twenty years. Her current assignment is with Aaj Tak. This chapter explains how capitalism started in the 18th century and how the market and media depend on one another for their mutual profit. This chapter clearly explains the business model of the media houses and how sometimes the overdependence of media on influential people and the big companies becomes harmful for the welfare of the society. It also talks about maintaining balance between media and market.


Shweta Singh says “Hamari Duniya me kisi bhi cheez ko lekar ek soch ban jaati hai aur us lebal ko hata pana namumkin sa ho jata hai. Aisa hi ek lebal bazar ke maathe par chaspa hai”( In our world, a thought is formed about any thing and it becomes impossible to remove that label. Such a label is stuck on the top of the market) on page number 53 of this book.


Media and Loktantra is the third chapter, written by Sarika Kalra. This chapter provides answers to many important questions related to media, market and democracy. Has the fourth pillar of democracy failed or succeeded? How new media has evolved, changed and challenged the traditional media. 


Bazar me Cinema is the fourth chapter, written by Jai Singh who possesses experience of more than twenty five years in the field of Cinema and Television. It is an interesting chapter to read as it explores regional cinema like South Indian cinema, Bangla cinema, Bhojpuri cinema, Punjabi cinema and many others. It talks about Bollywood and Hollywood in detail. It also covers the business model of cinema and challenges it is facing.


Vigyapan, Media Aur Bazar is the fifth chapter, written by Rekha Sethi . This chapter explains how advertising is influencing different sectors including economy, society and politics. How it uses different strategies and plays with the psychology of the customers to spend more and more. Apart from these, it also covers how gender stereotypes, child market, celebrities’ role, consumer's rights etc shapes it, which provides the complete essence of this topic.


Chaurahe Par Khada Social Media is the sixth chapter, written by Jaideep Karnik, who holds vast knowledge and experience about digital media. This chapter examines the different aspects of new media like how the internet connects the whole world through social media, how it is shaping the world through e-commerce and marketing, why it is becoming a new space for freedom of speech and expression and what challenges it is facing.


Khabaro ke bazar me News agenciyan is the seventh chapter, written by Priyabhanshu Ranjan. It talks about all important dimensions of news agencies like how it started, what it is important, who owns news agencies, its revenue model, its relevance in today's world and its relations with print and electronic media. If you are a media student, you will learn so many things about news agencies from this chapter.


Media ke bazar me ubaau aur bikaau is the second last chapter, written by Bageshree Chakradhar. This chapter is thought provoking as the media become biased towards politicians and influential people sometimes and forget about social problems which should be raised. It also covers the merits and demerits of new media.


The last chapter is Naye bharat ka media which is written by Priyadarshan. This chapter critically analyses how Indian media have so changed that it loses its own power to challenge something wrong. How and when Indian media become a business instead of a public service and why is freedom of speech and expression becoming a rare thing.


Why to read this book:


If you are looking for the resources which delve deep in the above mentioned topics, then this book is interesting and worth reading as it provides holistic information about relations between media and market. The book will give you clarity regarding various aspects of journalism, enhancing your understanding and knowledge. 


Written By:

Rinki Kumari

Semester 2

B.A. (Hons.) Journalism

Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi Univeristy


Links related to Media Aur Bazar:


https://vartikananda.com/books/media-aur-bazar/


https://vartikananda.com/vn-ki-paathshala/media-aur-bazar-an-enlightening-discourse-on-the-commercialisation-of-media-and-its-implications/










Apr 7, 2025

Media aur Bazaar | Vartika Nanda | 2018

 Description:   

Authored by Dr. Vartika Nanda, the book navigates the influence of the market on the media – ranging from public relations to advertising. It is a detailed account of the changing face of the Indian media. Nine journalists, including Shweta Singh from Aaj Tak, have contributed chapters to this book. Foreword has been written by Rahul Dev.

Book Release:

Released during the International Book Fair at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi in January 2018, the book deals with the complex interface of the world of media and the market. The book stands highly relevant in today’s age of communication that is driven by commercial interests. The book is beneficial for students of mass communication, journalism, advertising and public relations across universities to help gain a nuanced understanding of the intersection of media and the market in the 21st century. 

 Ingredients

This book provides an in-depth explanation and analysis of the functioning of the Indian media under the influence of growing markets and corporatization. It gives a detailed account of various issues pertaining to media that are driven by commercial interests.

 Relevance

The text stands relevant for students of journalism and media practitioners alike. It is a fine blend of the media industry and academia that has incorporated balanced inputs from media practitioners and academicians.

 USP: The text deals with significant focal points of the media industry like ethical dilemmas in media, economic pressures in the newsroom, the blurring lines between editorial and advertising, and the role of vernacular press in the overall growth of Indian media. 

 Purpose: Since Media Law and Ethics is an important part of the journalism course, this book is intended to bring forth the latest changes in media. Also since there are very few books in Hindi, this book has a wider target audience, especially in the north Indian belt. 

                                                                                                                                                           Index: अनुक्रम

 

  1. भूमिकाः मीडिया और बाजार                                         – राहुल देव
  2. सम्पादकीय : मीडिया खड़ा बाजार में                           – वर्तिका नन्दा
  3. पत्रकारिता और पब्लिक रिलेशनः एक दूजे के लिए -दिलीप मंडल
  4. बाजारवाद और मीडिया                                                 – श्वेता सिंह
  5. मीडिया और लोकतंत्र                                                 – सारिका कालरा
  6. बाजार में सिनेमा                                                           – जयसिंह
  7. विज्ञापन, मीडिया और बाजार                                           – रेखा सेठी
  8. चौराहे पर खड़ा सोशल मीडिया जयदीप कर्णिक
  9. खबरों के बाजार में न्यूज एजेंसियां                               – प्रियभांशु रंजन
  10. मीडिया के बाजार में उबाऊ और बिकाऊ – बागेश्री चक्रधर
  11. नये भारत का मीडिया                                                 – प्रियदर्शन

Details of the book:

Title: Media aur Bazar

Author: Vartika Nanda

Publisher: Samayik Books

ISBN: 78-93-80458-96-0

Year : 2007

Price : Rs. 400

Student Review

Media Aur Bazar

Editor: Dr. Vartika Nanda

Year: 2007

Publisher: Samayik Books 



Dr. Vartika Nanda, through being richly persuasive and in possession of unmatched scholarship, brings a riveting and edifying take on topics hitherto pushed into oblivion: how economic pressures and commercialization (of media channels) continue to influence the news that we see today. 

                                                                                                                                                                BOOK DESCRIPTION

This book provides a comprehensive explanation and analysis of the functioning of Indian media under the growing influence of markets and corporations. It gives a detailed account of various issues pertaining to media, that are driven by commercial interests. This book contends that not only in India, but throughout the world, the existence of free press or independent media exists in harmony with the “bazar”. However, the problem arises when these two entities intersect with each other, overstep their jurisdictions and violate prevalent norms in accordance with their respective conveniences.

 

 THE EDITOR’S DILEMMA 

The tragedy, according to the editor of the book is that the market or the “bazar” has forced modern media channels to constantly change themselves in order to attract advertisements and to stay relevant. In today’s competitive environment, it seems as if the market has a monopoly on the truth. The narrative set by the “bazar” holds much more importance in comparison to the facts that need to be announced. The book consists of numerous hard-hitting quotes that force the reader to cogitate upon the opportunistic intermingling of media and the corporate sector. One such quote, is as follows: FOREWORD— 

 इससे बड़ा झूठ और क्या होगा

गाँव में सूखा है और ख़बर में पानी है 

 In this light, the book delineates the pernicious trajectory of invasive commercialisation and its perceivably lingering consequences for ‘independent’ media. At the same time, the book does not in any way suggest a dissociation of media and bazar. It advocates for a principled distance between the two. 

THE BOOK’S UNIQUE SELLING POINT

What adds to the overall appeal and significance of the book, is the collection of writings by 9 other eminent intellectuals in the field of journalism. Only a few have the capability to combine the vision of a journalistic liberation, with the exact knowledge needed for a precise and workable paradigm shift to deconstruct this ongoing submission. 

RELEVANCE AND PURPOSE 

The range and depth as well as the brilliant arguments set forth by the numerous contributors in this book, make it an essential treatise for students of journalism and media practitioners alike. It is a fine blend of the media industry and academia that has incorporated balanced inputs from media practitioners and academicians. This book is a compendium of profound insights and is an essential read for those interested in understanding the contemporary media situation.

 -By Nirvanika Singh

Academic Review

मीडिया और बाजार को समझने के लिए एक जरूरी पुस्तक

संपादक:  डॉ.वर्तिका नन्दा

प्रकाशक: सामयिक प्रकाशन

विधा: पत्रकारिता

मीडिया अब मिशन नहीं रहा। देश-समाज के लिए कुछ कर गुजरने का माध्यम भी नहीं बल्कि अब यह बाजार का एक महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा बन चुका है। मीडिया में करिअर बनाने वालों के लिए इस मीडिया और बाजार के गठजोड़ को समझना जरूरी है। आप इस किताब को पढ़े बिना आज के मीडिया परिदृश्य को नहीं समझ सकते। मीडिया और बाजार के रिश्ते को नहीं जान सकते।

आज जब हर चीज बाजार से जुड़ गई है तो मीडिया कैसे अछूता रह रह सकता है। मीडिया के स्वरूप, उसके चरित्र और उसकी प्रकृति को जानने समझने के लिए एक बेहतर पुस्तक का होना जरूरी है, इसी जरूरत को पूरा करती है यह मीडिया और बाजार किताब। क्योंकि इस स्वरूप, प्रकृति और चरित्र को जितने बारीक और बेबाक तरीके से सामने रखती है यह वैसा कम से कम हिंदी की पुस्तकों में देखने-पढ़ने को नहीं मिलता है। ऐसा इसलिए हो सका है कि इस पुस्तक के लिए लिखने वाले अपने-अपने विषयों और क्षेत्र के पारंगत अनुभवी और दिशा देने वाले लेखक हैं। अलग-अलग विधाओं पर मीडिया के संपूर्ण खाके  को खींचने वाले ये  लेखक उन पहलुओं पर खुलकर बात करते हैं जिन्हें अक्सर दबाया जाता है। या फिर जिन्हें अब तक इतने मुखर तरीके से सामने नहीं लाया गया है।

किताब की भूमिका वरिष्ठ पत्रकार राहुल देव ने लिखी है। भूमिका पढ़कर ही आपको किताब के तेवरों का पता चलने लगता है।  वर्तिका नंदा का संपादकीय  मीडिया को सचमुच बाजार में खड़ा कर देता है ! पुस्तक में कुल नौ अध्याय हैं । पहला अध्याय पत्रकारिता और पब्लिक रिलेशन पर है जिसे जाने-माने लेखक-पत्रकार दिलीप मंडल ने लिखा है। पब्लिक रिलेशन के इतिहास और वर्तमान को  केस स्टडीज के माध्यम से बखूबी समझाया गया है जो मीडिया के छात्रों सहित आम पाठकों के लिए भी महत्वपूर्ण है। दूसरा अध्याय मीडिया और बाज़रवाद पर है जिसे टीवी जगत की मशहूर पत्रकार-एंकर श्वेता सिंह ने लिखा है। टीआरपी, विज्ञापनों का मकड़जाल, लागत और कमाई के संतुलन और असंतुलन, नैतिकता और अनैतिकता के सवाल। और अंत में, पाप, पुण्य, पत्रकारिता पर  टिप्पणी करता यह अध्याय एक इनसाइड विमर्श के रूप में एक नया नजरिया प्रस्तुत करता है। मीडिया और लोकतंत्र अध्याय में, सारिका कालरा ने मीडिया का लोकतंत्र, बाजार, मीडिया की लोकतंत्र के प्रति जवाबदेही और नैतिकता पर विस्तृत लेख-जोखा दिया है। न्यू मीडिया को सारिका कालरा ने  परंपरागत मीडिया के लिए एक चुनौती माना है और उसके स्वरूप-चरित्र पर खुलकर लिखा है।

अगला अध्याय ‘बाजार में सिनेमा’ है जिसे संपादक, लेखक-फिल्म समीक्षक जयसिंह ने लिखा है। सिनेमा को कला मानने में  एक ज़माना लग गया। आज ये एक ऐसा  कला माध्यम है जो अन्य कलाओं पर भारी पड़ चुका है। साथ ही, सबसे महंगा माध्यम भी है। जाहिर है इसको बनाने में मोटी रकम लगती है तो उस रकम को वापस पाने अर्थात मुनाफा कमाने के तरीके भी अपनाए जाते हैं। इन्हीं तरीकों और मॉडलों पर इस अध्याय में विस्तृत चर्चा की गई है। सिनेमा मनोरंजन का माध्यम भले ही माना जाता है लेकिन यह समाज पर अन्य मीडिया के मुकाबले अधिक और गहरा प्रभाव डालता है। अन्य परंपरागत मीडिया के मुकाबले सिनेमा का असर स्थायी होता है। अतः बाजार यहाँ एक महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका में नजर आता है। भारतीय  सिनेमा के मीडिया और बाजार से रिश्ते, विदेशों में भारतीय सिनेमा, भारत में विदेशी सिनेमा और क्षेत्रीय सिनेमा के बाजार पर यह महत्वपूर्ण लेख है। ‘विज्ञापन, मीडिया और बाजार’ अध्याय में विज्ञापन जगत का मीडिया और बाजार से क्या रिश्ता है और उसके सामाजिक, आर्थिक पहलू क्या हैं इस पर गंभीर विमर्श है। इसे लिखा है रेखा सेठी ने।  विज्ञापन की दुनिया का आभासी यथार्थ, जेंडर, बच्चे, विज्ञापन और सेलिब्रिटी कैसे इस सशक्त माध्यम के  टूल बनते हैं, इस पर बेबाक टिप्पणी इस अध्याय की विशेषता है।

सोशल मीडिया आज सर्वाधिक सशक्त माध्यम है जिससे आम आदमी भी अछूता नहीं है।  मीडिया विधयार्थियों को इसकी खूबी-खामियों के बारे में जानने का इस अध्याय से अच्छा स्रोत नहीं हो सकता। जयदीप कर्णिक डिजिटल मीडिया जगत में एक स्थापित नाम है। ‘चौराहे पर खड़ा सोशल मीडिया’ अध्याय में जयदीप ने इंटरनेट के रथ पर सवार इस नए मीडिया के विभिन्न स्वरूपों पर खुलकर बात की है और इसके चरित्र, पहुँच, प्रभाव तथा बाजार में इसके कद को बखूबी समझाया है। बाजार का मतलब खरीद और बिक्री से है। तो क्या सोशल मीडिया भी खरीद-बिक्री का एक उत्पाद है या कहें माध्यम है? इसका जवाब तलाशने में यह अध्याय आपकी सहायता करता है।

पत्रकारिता का एक दौर वह भी था जब यह मीडिया न्यूज एजेंसियों पर ही निर्भर था लेकिन अब दौर बदल चुका है फिर भी, न्यूज एजेंसियों को जानने, उनकी महत्ता, पहुँच, स्वामित्व और इससे भी महत्वपूर्ण यह कि इन एजेंसियों के सामने क्या चुनौतियां हैं, उन्हें समझने के लिए प्रियभांशु रंजन का लिखा अध्याय अहम है। बागेश्री चक्रधर का लिखा अगला अध्याय ‘मीडिया के बाजार में उबाऊ और बिकाऊ’ शीर्षक से है। जो दिखता है वो बिकता है और  मांग-आपूर्ति वाले सिद्धांत को मीडिया बाजार ने उलट-पलटकर रख दिया है। अब मीडिया के बाजार में मांग पैदा नहीं की जाती बल्कि माल की आपूर्ति कर दी  जाती है जिसके बाद मांग को घटाया बढ़ाया जाता है। और इसमें मीडिया अपनी विशिष्ट भूमिका निभाता है। उबाऊ को बिकाऊ बनाने के खेल में अब मीडिया भी एक बाजार बन चुका है। इसी को सामने रखता है यह अध्याय। अंतिम अध्याय ‘ नये भारत का मीडिया’ शीर्षक से है जिसे लिखा है प्रिन्ट-इलेक्ट्रॉनिक मीडिया के अग्रणी प्रियदर्शन ने। जैसा कि नाम से ही विदित होता है। इस अध्याय में उन्होंने नये भारत में मीडिया के उभरते स्वरूप और चरित्र पर खुलकर बात की  है। बात ही नहीं की है बल्कि कई  गंभीर सवाल उठाए हैं और उनके जवाब भी रखे हैं। पत्रकारिता के खासकर हिंदी भाषी छात्रों के लिए नये मीडिया के प्रत्येक पहलू को जानने की दृष्टि से, यह एक महत्वपूर्ण अध्याय है।

कुल मिलकर, वर्तिका नंदा के सम्पादन में, ‘मीडिया और बाजार ‘पुस्तक जनसंचार और पत्रकारिता के सभी माध्यमों पर विशेषज्ञों के स्पष्ट, बेबाक, अर्थपूर्ण और व्यावहारिक दृष्टिकोण का दस्तावेज है।

जयसिंह

(पत्रकारिता एवं मीडिया क्षेत्र में तीन दशक से अधिक का अनुभव। भारतीय सिनेमा का सफरनामासिनेमा बीच बाजारजीरो माइल अलीगढ़ और सजनवा बैरी हो गए हमार: गीतकार शैलेन्द्र- चार पुस्तकें प्रकाशित। प्रमुख हिंदी समाचार पत्र-पत्रिकाओं में सिनेमाटेलीविजन और साहित्य पर 1000 से अधिक लेखसाक्षात्कार प्रकाशित। आकाशवाणी से दर्जनभर रेडियो वार्ताओं का प्रसारण। एन. चंद्रा की फिल्म बनने से पहले की दो फिल्म पटकथाओं- ‘हंगामा है क्यों बरपा’ और ‘अब के हम बिछड़े तो’ सहित विभिन्न विधाओं की 100 से अधिक पुस्तकों का संपादन। वर्तमान में सूचना एवं प्रसारण मंत्रालय के एक साप्ताहिक समाचार पत्र में संपादक के रूप में कार्यरत। विज्ञान स्नातक, हिंदी साहित्य में स्नातकोत्तर और भारतीय जन संचार संस्थान से पत्रकारिता में पीजी डिप्लोमा। पत्रकारिता की शुरुआत अलीगढ़ से एक क्राइम रिपोर्टर के रूप में। एक लघु फिल्म का निर्माण, लेखन-निर्देशन। भारतीय सूचना सेवा से संबद्ध।)

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