This Is An Attack On The Print Newspaper Industry

Mumbai: Maharashtra’s government has launched a circular promoting digital media over print newspapers, sparking outrage from the Brihanmumbai Newspaper Vendors’ Association. The association contends the directive threatens the livelihoods of thousands of newspaper vendors and distributors, and could have a ripple effect on the broader printing industry that supports lakhs of families.

The Maharashtra government, citing a government circular, urged citizens to “Go digital, save newsprint, save forex,” in newspapers Navshakti and The Free Press Journal. The association argues this move amounts to an “attack on the print newspaper industry” and could have severe consequences for the sector and the associated economy.

While the association emphasizes the importance of newspaper reading, Marathi language preservation, and cultural values, it also raises concerns about citizens’ willingness to shift towards digital media. The group insists the printed newspaper is not just a source of information but also the “fourth pillar of democracy” and urges the state government to devise policies to safeguard the print newspaper industry, protect vendors’ interests, and foster a reading culture.

The opposition alliance leader and general secretary of the association, Madhusudan Sadadekar and Sanjay Choukekar, respectively, called for the circular’s withdrawal and warned of potential mass agitation by vendors and stakeholders if concerns remain unaddressed.