India print media sales are frequently cited as an example of newspaper growth. But do newspapers have a realistic future? That’s the question group chief editor at exchange4media, Pradyuman Maheshwari is asking.
“As various stakeholders are set to congregate at the Indian Newspaper Congress 2009, organised jointly by the Indian Newspaper Society and exchange4media, it’s fitting to discuss an issue that has being debated much in the West – Does print media, newspapers specifically, have a future?”
Newspaper companies might fall behind ‘bit players’ if they’re not careful, he says.
“Regrettably – and I can say this out of my personal experience in this space – most traditional newspaper managements do not understand the demands of the online space and most print and television reporters think a byline on the web doesn’t mean much. To an extent, the journalists aren’t incorrect, as it is only when there is quality content on the web – streaming 24×7 – that the medium will grow.”