*Make Regular Purchase and Reading of at Least One Newspaper a Habit in Every Household: Abu Shahma Ansari*
*Active Participation of the Urdu-Speaking Community Is Essential for the Survival of Urdu Language and Journalism*
Barabanki: (Press Release) Abu Shahma Ansari, Secretary of Publicity of the All India Minorities Forum for Democracy, has expressed concern over the current state of newspapers and appealed to the Urdu-speaking community to make the regular purchase and reading of at least one newspaper a habit in every household. He said that readers’ active support plays a fundamental role in the survival and stability of journalism. Despite the large number of people who can read and understand the language, the fact that the circulation of even a single newspaper has not reached one lakh copies is a serious matter that deserves careful consideration by members of the linguistic community and those associated with journalism.
In the present era, the style and means of journalism are changing rapidly. Newspapers must also make necessary changes to their content and presentation, keeping in mind the interests of the younger generation, changing expectations and public issues. Local news, public concerns, investigative reports, useful information and serious analysis can play an important role in connecting readers with newspapers. Fact-based reporting on fundamental issues in rural areas, such as dilapidated roads, drainage, clean drinking water, electricity, healthcare and education, can serve as an effective means of conveying the voices of the people to the relevant authorities.
The financial and circulation-related difficulties faced by journalism are also a cause for concern. Several newspapers have discontinued publication, while some publications that once appeared in 12 pages have now been reduced to just 8 pages. Similarly, the editions of several newspapers that previously carried 8 pages have shrunk to 4 pages. Despite limited resources, some publishing houses are striving to keep their publications going; however, concerns have also emerged about the future of certain newspapers.
Explaining his point, Abu Shahma Ansari referred to an incident involving an illiterate Marathi-speaking woman who worked at a lawyer’s home in Mumbai. She regularly purchased a Marathi newspaper and would say that it was a newspaper in their own language and that its publication should continue. According to him, this incident highlights the fact that attachment to one’s language is not limited to reading and writing; it also involves playing a role in protecting the journalistic institutions that serve that language.
Both families and educational institutions have an important responsibility to connect the younger generation with reading and journalism. Parents should cultivate the habit of reading among children, while teachers should use newspapers to familiarise students with language, society and current affairs. Newspapers in other regional languages of India have also adopted new journalistic approaches by understanding the changing needs of their readers. Malayalam newspapers such as Malayala Manorama and Mathrubhumi are noteworthy examples in this regard. The need of the hour is for Urdu journalism, too, to preserve its strong foundations while adapting to modern media platforms and the preferences of the younger generation.
The role of media organisations alone is not enough to build quality journalism. They must provide reliable, high-quality content that serves the public interest, while editors and journalists must uphold research standards, professional integrity and journalistic ethics. Educational institutions should promote reading and critical thinking, literary and social organisations should encourage reading activities at the local level, and writers should make efforts to foster young people’s interest in journalism and their language.
The role of readers cannot be overlooked either. If the number of people purchasing newspapers continues to decline, the financial resources of newspaper organisations will also be affected. Therefore, every family should regularly purchase and read at least one newspaper. Children and young people should also be encouraged to participate in this habit, while friends, relatives and neighbours should be motivated to buy newspapers. Those who cannot afford to purchase a newspaper individually can arrange to receive one collectively through mutual cooperation or make regular arrangements to obtain it through a newspaper vendor.
Newspapers, too, should maintain a strong connection with their readers. People should share local issues, suggestions, opinions and important community information with newspapers so that journalism does not remain limited to the transmission of news but becomes an effective medium for representing society’s concerns. Readers’ feedback and suggestions can also help media organisations improve their content and priorities.
Concluding his statement, Abu Shahma Ansari made a special appeal to the Urdu-speaking community, saying that purchasing a newspaper does not merely mean obtaining a few printed pages; it means contributing to the preservation of one’s language, cultural identity and journalistic heritage. If readers begin extending practical support from today, a strong foundation can be established for the future of journalism. The need of the hour is to do more than simply appreciate newspapers: people must play their part in keeping them alive by purchasing them, reading them and sharing them with others.This press release has been issued by the Publicity Department of the All India Minorities Forum for Democracy.
