Always there for a vibrant Press

The central objective of the IENS was subjects like that. Newspapers realised the value of collective strength and membership of the newspaper society began to grow. The name of the society then contained the word 8220;eastern8221; as the founders expected newspapers of Burma and Ceylon to join the organisation. The word 8220;eastern8221; was dropped at the time of its golden jubilee and it was renamed Indian Newspaper Society,or INS.

Conceived though primarily as a body of newspapers to look after the members, their business and financial interests, and to promote co-operation in all matters of common interest, the founders of the Society gave due importance to the editorial aspects of newspapers. It was the senior members of the INS who promoted the All India Editors Conference within a year of its formation. That the founding members realised the value of a free Press was evident when the war was over and independence was declared. Reuters who were the purveyor of news in this country was soon to leave.

The INS drew up an agreement with Reuters for organising a successful outfit and the Press Trust of India was born in 1948. Its shareholding was with the newspapers. The INS felt that monopoly in every form was bad. It thought of a competing Indian news agency and the United News of India UNI was formed.

The INS always played a role in protecting newspapers from the government8217;s likes and dislikes. The INS believed thateconomic strength was necessary to fight the battle for Press freedom. And this has not changed in independent India. The INS remains the apex body of the newspapers of India.

As the INS celebrates its diamond jubilee today, it must not be oblivious to the challenges from other media. It cannot rest on its laurels. The electronic media is growing fast. Its novelty has overwhelmed the advertisers. All over the world the growth of electronic media has been phenomenal and advertisements are now shared between the print and electronic media. And now Internet, an instant source of information, is vying with newspapers. In the US and elsewhere, Internet is being used by newspapers for augmenting their area of coverage.

The INS will have to prepare its members to face the new challenge. The INS will have to guide its large membership in improving and modernising their product, in establishing closer contacts with its readers, determining their likes and dislikes, their preferences, through research and surveys.It should be the INS8217;s job to educate its members and strengthen their efforts in facing the challenges. Some years ago INS members established a research body, RIND Research Institute for Newspaper Development. The small and medium newspapers in particular will need help in innovation in every activity that goes with the running of a newspaper.

The Press Foundation of India, an institution promoted by INS members and run in close collaboration with the INS, provides opportunities for the training of journalists. It is the purveyor of change and progress.The Press in India is growing steadily. In a developing country like India, with the pressure of population and growth in literacy, this progress will continue for some years. The INS and its members can help continue this progress.

A free Press, a healthy Press, a better Press, is the INS8217;s prime responsibility.

The author is a former President of the Indian Newspaper Society