TIMES OF INDIA VS LOKSATTA

TIMES OF INDIA VS LOKSATTA


I] ABOUT THE TIMES OF INDIA


“The Times of India” is started by Bennett, Coleman & Company, Limited. It was started long back in 1838. It is the oldest English Daily in India. It is also a great newspaper which played an important role in the development of Journalism in this country.

“The Times of India” contributed enormously to the freedom of India. “The Times of India” at that time belonged to the class of British-owned newspapers under the editorship of Thomas J. Bennett, who later became the sole proprietor of “The Times of India”, the paper maintained close relations with Indians, many of whom contributed to its columns. Bennett vastly improved the paper by bringing talented people from England among who was a master printer, F.M.Coleman, who had wide experience of daily newspapers in India to subscribe to Reuter’s news service.

“The Times of India” passed into Indian hands in 1946. Frank Moraes became the first editor when freedom came.

“The Times of India” today occupies a premier position and it has the largest circulation among English dailies.

”The Times of India” is having other publications like Maharashtra Times [Marathi Daily], Navbharat Times [Hindi], Economic Times [English] and Mumbai Mirror [Tabloid]. Other than newspapers Times has media publications in the form of Magazines, Radio F.M Channel, News-channel Times Now, Music venture Times Music and many more.

ABOUT LOKSATTA


Indian Express is a reputed English Daily in India. Indian Express Group felt the need of Regional Language Newspaper catering to Marathi speaking population. Then they started “Loksatta” in 1948 in Bombay. It was first Marathi Daily appear after Independence. Its first editor was T.V. Parvate. Its Sunday edition had a wide circulation. Then after “Loksatta” became Brand in Marathi Journalism and known for intellectual, in-depth analysis. Many prominent Journalists became Editors of this paper and give it distinct identity. Madhav Gadkari was one of the editors whose columns and editorials became famous and reprinted in the form of books. In the competition with other Marathi Newspaper “Loksatta” is number one. “Loksatta” is always active in Investigative Journalism as well as political ups-downs in Maharahtra.


II] Nameplates


The nameplate of this newspaper i.e. “THE TIMES OF INDIA” is set in Times New Roman Font. It is placed at the top of the first page in the center. It is black in colour with font size approximately 72. The width and length of the nameplate is about 2.5 cm into 26.5 cm respectively.

Just after the nameplate on the left side is printed the name of the owner of the paper that is “Bennett Coleman & Co, Limited. Besides that year of establishment 1838 is printed. Then Website address is given as “epaper.timesofindia.com” in the middle exactly above where the Edition center Day, Month, Date and Year are mentioned.


The nameplate of LOKSATTA is set in Loksatta’s own created font. It is placed at the top of the first page in center. It is black in colour with font size approximately 72. The width and length of the masthead is about 15.5cm * 20.5cm respectively. Just above the nameplate on left side there is address of website that is www.loksatta.com. Exact on the line below the nameplate is the Price of the Paper, Edition center, Day, Date, Month and Year.


III] First Page


First page considered a mirror. It reflects the name of the newspaper “The Times of India” and it’s known for its presentation.

Below the nameplate and masthead there is news-strip. This news-strip includes two news headlines and its related photo. The color combination of the news-strip is kept changing everyday. Sometimes it is red and blue. Some day it is grey and brown. Font size of the news-strip headline is 18. News-strip headline is important but not equally important as to get printed detailed on the first page.

To the left of the news-strip is the information bar. Information bar starts with News-Digest. News-digest is a list of small news items which is covered thoroughly in the inside pages. Sometimes News-Digest contains news, which comes at the time of going to print.

After that there is sometimes advertisement. After that there is Market Watch. As the name suggest it tells us information about Foreign Currency Rate, Rates of Gold & Silver plus situation of Sensex & Nifty. It also prints top gaining Companies & Firms.

Info-bar contains major substance which is appearing for years on the front page that is “You said it” cartoon column by R.K.Laxman. This column is highly popular among readers and many eagerly wait in the morning to read the pictorial comment on current situation. Common- man cartoon and readers have very special affiliation. Then there is “Indiatimes.com Poll” which shows results of question asked the previous day. People can register their vote through website or SMS. Moving down we come to “Weather”. It tells us information about Sunrise, Moonrise, Sunset & Moonset timings. It presents the forecast of the upcoming day. It also provides details of rainfall, humidity & temperature of selected cities. Between the “Weather” & “You Said It”, there is one small advertisement.

At the bottom of the Info-bar there is information provided about the number of pages that issue carries plus the related supplements. The last part gives us page number where there is “Classifieds” inside newspaper. Information Bar is useful as it provides information relating & affecting our life.


Loksatta does not have info-bar like “The Times of India”. Loksatta had such kind of info-bar but it was changed for the new look of the paper. It is because more space is given to the news. It does not have a news strip too. It has one head headline spanning the entire length of the newspaper.


IV] News Stories


As per news-value and the nature of the report layout changes from time to time. News of national importance mostly from political field captures the major space on front page. Parliament session, Election of Central or State government, New deals with foreign countries is part of the news, which usually appears on the first page.

News like India wins bronze at Olympics is presented on the first page in the form of photograph and report is printed in sports section. Always, News presented above the fold of the first page is hard news.

At the bottom of the first page there is soft news story called “Anchor”. This includes news about new trends, technology advancement, health and education related feature. 6-7 news stories are printed on the first page.

Times does not over use the space by giving “n” number of news on front page. Overall presentation looks sober and does not look gaudy. When one big photograph is printed then other stories carries small photograph.

By-line is not given to every news story. But every soft news story carries a by-line. Solus ad is the most expensive ad in the newspaper and it carries 10% of the first page. Right side bottom space is allotted for Solus ads.


As Loksatta is regional newspaper and its target audience is the Maharashtrian community news presented on front page is of regional importance than national importance. Layout of the front page keeps on changing. Sometimes a photograph with caption is printed in upper part of the front page where as some other day a detailed news report is printed with small photograph. Same like “The Times of India” Loksatta also covers 6-7 news stories on front page. Front page news is mainly from political ups-downs in Maharashtra. Besides this social, environment, education, crime beats offer front page story.

Font size of the headline is big and bold in format as to catch the reader’s attention.

At the bottom there is soft-news story is called “Anchor”. This includes issues like global warming, technology advancement, education change and etc. soft news story is must read of this newspaper. By-line is only given to very special report. Soft news story carries a by-line daily. Use of colors is limited and that is why paper looks less attractive and serious in visual sense. Use of black and red is prominent on front page.

Sometimes entire lower part of the front page is devoted to advertisement. Then that time soft news is omitted.


V] City News


COVERAGE OF CITY NEWS in “THE TIMES OF INDIA”

This segment covers news of Mumbai city plus Mumbai Suburbs, Thane & Raigad district. Besides this, news from Maharashtra state is also featured in the segment. Very first page of Times City carries News-strip headline. These news are there inside Times city. News from various beats like political, crime, education and environment are featured in this segment. During my analysis period I found crime stories are often printed in Times City. Besides this, education has been a major contributing beat to Times City. Results of 10th &12th exams were declared in this period and soon after that the Times carried out articles relating to admissions, new trends in admissions, career options, a problem faced by students etcetera. Political news comprises news of Assembly, BMC and from suburban politics. Times city is vibrant section as people like to read news of their area.


VI] National News

News from all over the country is printed in TIMES NATION. News from political, social, crime, environment & science are the major beats covered in this segment. India is big country and that is why news is available abundantly. Special stories are published with big photograph while other stories with small photograph. Political happenings in different states, natural calamity news, crime stories that took place in various parts are covered in detail.


As Loksatta is regional daily its Target Audience is Maharashtrian people and their related news; less priority is given to Nation-wide news. News from political, social, crime education, environment sectors are covered thoroughly. Therefore, fewer pages are devoted to national news i.e. to Desh.


VII] International News

Name: Times Global

The Times of India is perfect while covering international news. News from various countries like USA, UK, Iraq and Afghanistan are covered adequately. India has contacts with many countries. Happenings in other countries have consequences on our life as well and that is why International news cannot be neglected. These news comes from various foreign news agencies plus foreign correspondents. Newspaper like Times of India can afford to send its correspondents worldwide.

For example: For the Indo-US Nuclear Deal these correspondents provide plenty of information plus send information which is not available to reporters here.


Pages: None

Loksatta arranges International news inside the National news coverage. As Loksatta is regional daily less priority is given to International news. If International news is really very important then it appears on Front page. News about USA, Pakistan are regularly printed. Loksatta does not have foreign correspondents. Rather than giving detailed report Loksatta publishes small briefs which contains International news and if its consequences are long-lasting then we find articles and editorials about that issue or topic. If topic requires more space then an article analyzing that topic is published on Sunday supplement.


VIII] Editorials


This page is known as “Editorial Opinion”. Editorials of The Times of India are written in scientific manner. First, they put out the topic, then get the reader acquainted with various aspects and then provide a conclusion. Sometimes conclusion is left to the readers. Generally Times is Pro-Congress in their editorial. It does not mean that they don’t criticize congress. Whenever required they stand against Congress.

Topics for the editorial are vast in nature. Various reports released by government bodies are major topics of editorials. Reports may relate with population, environment and economics. Editorial helps us to understand these complicated topics.

Other than reports, editorials are based on politics, foreign relation, technology and economic sphere. Editorials also deal with sports, media buzz, new trends, science etc. Sometimes editorials are on very new topics like vibrating condoms. Editorials are written in simple & lucid language with short sentences.

Times editorials are not just writings; it is minute observation, suggested solutions for current problems, criticism of government decisions and appreciation of individuals who deserve it. Times editorials are must read part of the newspaper.


Elements of Editorial page:

• A Thought for Today

• Editorial 1

• Editorial 2

• Question & Answer

• Sacred Space

• The Speaking Tree (Mata Amritanandamayi, Swami Sukhabodhananda, Sri Ravi Shankar writings are regular part of this column)

• Small story- Experience story

• Column of Analysis 1

• Column of Analysis 2

• Edit Page Mailbox – Letter to Editor

• Debate- “Times View” versus “Counter View”

My Times My Voice
“Loksatta” has shifted their editorial page to right side of the newspaper defying the conventional pattern that places editorial page on the left side of the newspaper.

“Loksatta” has a fixed layout for editorial page. Below editorial, space is allotted for columns where expert opinions on various political and social issues are published. Sunil Chavke, Sulakshana Mahajan, Girdhar Patil are regular contributors to this column.

This space is also for Book-Review section. Books are reviewed and the reviewer tells us the ingredient that book contains. Rekha Deshpande, Mihir Mahajan, Arvind Gokhale are regular contributors to this columns.

Besides this there is a column named “Vyaktivedh”. This column narrates profile of a personality who has achieved something in current scenario. This column is helpful to understand particular personality and his journey. Below this column there is space allotted to Letters To The Editor.

Other than this there are small columns on right and left side of the editorial. Column named “Kalmanas” tells useful information about particular issue in detail where as “Dushare Bhashya” column gives us information about news appeared in foreign newspapers.


IX] ANALYSIS OF OP-ED PAGE


“THE TIMES OF INDIA”

Op-ed page of The Times of India is titled as “Times Trends”. This page is colorful and full of photographs. This page deals with research findings of western scientist study, new advancements in technology, health related topics etc. Op-ed page does not provide any serious reading content. Most of the reports and articles are taken from western media. This page is sort of a lifestyle page and many photographs are printed to support articles and features. Environmental issues like global warming are published with essential graphics, tables. By reading this page, we come to know about new happenings in science, medicine and technologies.


As contrary to conventional pattern, Loksatta have its op-ed page on the left side of the newspaper.

Prasad Kerkar writes column named “Board Battle” where he writes about corporate sector and its functioning.

Dinesh Thite writes a column which is devoted to “Right to Information Act” and opportunities for citizens.

Sudhir Joglekar is one of the editors of “Loksatta” writes column named “Kaka Square” where he writes about political and social sphere.

Foreign stories are covered by Datta Panchvagh in his column “Roller Coaster”.

Editor of Nagpur edition of “Loksatta” Praveen Bardapurkar writes column named “Diary” wherein he recalls his early days of journalism.


[Ravinder Panchal writes about the Happenings of Mumbai city.

Satish Kamath writes column which covers Konkan area and its happenings.

Jaiprakash Pawar writes columns which deals with Nashik and related area.

For western Maharashtra Rajendra Joshi writes column. ]


Besides this, environmental column is run by Abhijit Ghorpade. On Thursday, a whole op-ed page is devoted to environmental reports, features & columns. Global warming and its consequences are beautifully covered in this segment.

Left side of the middle part is devoted to column named “Hava-Pani” which is run by Loksatta Research Bureau. This column deals with temperature and its forecast and cyclones.

Bottom part of the op-ed page is called “Navneet” which means new things. In this, a small story is published for children and parents.

Next to it, a science-based story named “Kutuhal” is published. This story is written by Marathi Sahitya Parishad.

Reading to op-ed page is enriching experience and compared to Times of India op-ed page of Loksatta is far more superior, because it carries content for reading.



X] COVERAGE OF BUSINESS NEWS

Name: Times Business

Shares, investments, mergers, take-over, new launch of products and everything we need to know about financial sector can be found in “Times Business”. “Times Business” deals with news of our economy. It gives us details of banking sector. This segment provides plenty of news of share market and its ups-downs. Business sector is an active sector with mergers everyday and we can get news in detail about that in Times Business. Sometimes when topic is really vast then interviews of expertise people are published. This segment also gives information about new launch of products and their prospects ,weakness & cost factor.


“LOKSATTA”

Pages Allotted: None

Loksatta covers all this in their financial supplement named “Arthvrutant”. This supplement is weekly and published on Monday.


XI] Sports News


The Times of India has a vibrant sports section. “Times Sports” is well-presented section in the newspaper. Their range of games coverage is vast from cricket to golf and from football to basketball. Every sport gets represented as per priority decided by Times. Cricket is religion in India and that is why cricket news covers the entire first page of the total four.

The four sports pages ensure that Times can cover as many games possible. Football is much more popular in western countries but in India it takes time to find its followers. But credit goes to Times for continuous reporting of all football matches in various countries. Hockey is our national game and Times is leading the front while covering hockey news; hockey matches, and other happenings in hockey field.

Neglected games like swimming and other are part of Olympics are nicely featured. Besides this for local sports happenings Times Sports has got a column named “City Sport” where under 15, under 14, school as well as college plus local sports activities are reported in brief.

For sports lovers Times everyday presents contests like “Play Full, Pic Stop, On This Day” where readers’ knowledge is tested.


Loksatta” reserves two pages for Sport Coverage. Cricket is main News-focus of sports coverage.

Problem while analyzing cricket-reports is that if there are more cricket matches then Loksatta covers two matches perfectly and leaves out other match reports.

Loksatta is particular about other games reporting like Tennis, Football and Hockey. Though football news is covered Loksatta does not cover each and every football match as their focus is on Cricket.

Loksatta is lacking in presenting Stats Tables, Graphics and Illustrations .This may be due to lack of space.

Despite this, “Loksatta” is excellent while covering Mega-events like World Cups.


XII] Supplements


Bombay Times – Daily

Education Times – Monday & Thursday

Times Ascent – Wednesday

Property Times – Friday

Westside Plus- Saturday

Dombivli-Kalyan Plus – Saturday

Times Life! - Sunday


Mumbai Vrutant & Thane Vrutant: Both are published daily.


Lokrang- It is core supplement of Loksatta. Every day we read news but in this supplement we can get analysis of this news. It is published every Sunday.


Loksatta-Express Money (Arth-Vrutant)- It is first financial supplement in Marathi Journalism. It is printed especially on pink paper which is symbol of economic output. It is supplement extensively deals with financial matters like Banking, Investments, Shares, Corporate, New products etc. It is published every Monday.


Viva- It is a colorful supplement. It is related to lifestyle, trends, career, tradition, food, craft & painting, make-up tips, relationships, etiquette, fitness and travel. It is published every Monday.


Career Vrutant - It is perfect guide for those who wants to make good career. We can get information about competitive exams and about the studies. It is published every Wednesday.


Vasturang- Vasturang deals with the matters related to buy a house, procedure of taking it, difficulties while taking. It is similar to Property Times. It is published every Saturday.


Chaturang- It is the supplement catering to the needs of elite class. Basically it is a family supplement. It is published every Saturday.


Lokmudra- It is a cultural supplement. It deals with Book Review, international affaires, history, science, myths, museums and many more topics. It is published every First Sunday.


Hasyarang- Throughout the supplement there is “n” number of jokes which makes the reader laugh on it. This supplement is really stress-buster and makes the readers’ Sunday more enjoyable. It is published every First Sunday.


Chatura- This is not a supplement but a Women’s Magazine. It is published every Third Sunday.


Balrang- It is the supplements for kids. There are stories, puzzles and games for kids. Cover-page is very attractive as it is for kids. It is published every 1st & 3rd Sunday.