These days media developments in India are grabbing headlines because here, as in other sectors of the economy, the outside world is taking an interest. Perhaps most significantly, the Wall Street Journal is planning a launch in the country through a tie-up with Bennett, Coleman & Co, publisher of one of the largest broadsheets in the world, the Times of India, which claims a circulation of 2.2 million.
The venture is planning to publish the Wall Street Journal five days a week, edited for global Indian business readers and international business travellers, drawing on the newspaper's global content. Dow Jones would own 26 percent in the venture -- the maximum foreign equity allowed under law, and Bennett, Coleman would pick up the balance.
As newspaper publishers across the world worry about diminishing returns, India is one of the few countries showing a growth in newspaper circulation. For the period 1998 to 2002, newspaper sales in India were up by 17 percent, according to the World Association of Newspapers.
The industry seems to be on a high after the government liberalized print media rules -- ending years of debate -- and allowed 26 percent foreign ownership. "This may just be a starting point," says Shobhana Bhartia, vice-chairwoman of the Hindustan Times, which has become the first publisher to obtain government approval for bringing in foreign equity.
Henderson of the UK, a subsidiary of Australia's AMP, is forking out 1.25 billion rupees (US$300 million) for a 20 percent stake in the Hindustan Times.
The Times of India group, which owns English language lifestyle and film magazines Feminaand Filmfare, has also recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the BBC for a "long-term and meaningful partnership" in the magazine publishing business.
The Financial Times, which has a tie-up with the daily Business Standard, is another prominent newspaper investing in India.
"India forms part of our global strategy to grow the FT brand by investing in key markets and offers a huge potential," says Joanna Manning Cooper, director of communications at the FT. Pearson, which owns the FT, is investing 141 million rupees (US$3.07 million) for a 13.85 percent stake in Business Standard.
The FT is also planning to increase sales by making the paper available in key cities in India on the same day it is printed, whereas now it arrives a day later.
The FT already has an Asia edition, which was launched in September, 2003. It is published in Hong Kong and serves key markets such as Singapore, Japan, Korea and China.
The Hindustan Times is looking at launching an edition in Mumbai, the financial capital of India, which generates the bulk of national spending on advertising.
There has been speculation that another prominent newspaper group, Anand Bazaar Patrika (ABP), which owns the Telegraph title, is also eyeing the Mumbai market and may tie up with a foreign group.
Speaking at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit on May 13, former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said that democracies must remain united and that “Taiwan’s security is essential to regional stability and to defending democratic values amid mounting authoritarianism.” Earlier that day, Tsai had met with a group of Danish parliamentarians led by Danish Parliament Speaker Pia Kjaersgaard, who has visited Taiwan many times, most recently in November last year, when she met with President William Lai (賴清德) at the Presidential Office. Kjaersgaard had told Lai: “I can assure you that ... you can count on us. You can count on our support
Denmark has consistently defended Greenland in light of US President Donald Trump’s interests and has provided unwavering support to Ukraine during its war with Russia. Denmark can be proud of its clear support for peoples’ democratic right to determine their own future. However, this democratic ideal completely falls apart when it comes to Taiwan — and it raises important questions about Denmark’s commitment to supporting democracies. Taiwan lives under daily military threats from China, which seeks to take over Taiwan, by force if necessary — an annexation that only a very small minority in Taiwan supports. Denmark has given China a
Many local news media over the past week have reported on Internet personality Holger Chen’s (陳之漢) first visit to China between Tuesday last week and yesterday, as remarks he made during a live stream have sparked wide discussions and strong criticism across the Taiwan Strait. Chen, better known as Kuan Chang (館長), is a former gang member turned fitness celebrity and businessman. He is known for his live streams, which are full of foul-mouthed and hypermasculine commentary. He had previously spoken out against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and criticized Taiwanese who “enjoy the freedom in Taiwan, but want China’s money”
A high-school student surnamed Yang (楊) gained admissions to several prestigious medical schools recently. However, when Yang shared his “learning portfolio” on social media, he was caught exaggerating and even falsifying content, and his admissions were revoked. Now he has to take the “advanced subjects test” scheduled for next month. With his outstanding performance in the general scholastic ability test (GSAT), Yang successfully gained admissions to five prestigious medical schools. However, his university dreams have now been frustrated by the “flaws” in his learning portfolio. This is a wake-up call not only for students, but also teachers. Yang did make a big
RSS