Transcript Online Bengali Newspapers: A Comparative Study Presented By: ASHIS BISWAS Librarian Gurunanak Institute of Dental Science & Research, Kolkata.

Online Bengali Newspapers: A
Comparative Study
Presented By:
ASHIS BISWAS
Librarian
Gurunanak Institute of Dental Science
& Research, Kolkata.
Introduction
Newspapers are the most prominent sources of current
information. Online version is more helpful to access the
global information by overcoming all geographical limits.
Users may access irrespective of their location. Thus it
fulfils the law, ‘Information for all’.
Also known as web newspaper, it exists on the WWW either
separately or as an online version of a printed periodical.
Much like printed versions, they too have the same legal
boundaries.
Editors of online medium consider that many political, social
and sport events could be published online faster,
competing TV and radio. Sangbad Pratidin
(www.sangbadpratidin.com) has launched the first Bengali
website in Bengali in India.
Objective
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To locate the readers of Indian online Bengali
newspapers.
To compare the online Bengali newspapers from
different perspectives.
To identify the impact of online Bengali newspapers in
Bengali newspaper market.
To identify the advantages and limitations of online
Bengali newspapers.
Readers of Online Bengali
Newspapers
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Bengali is the national and official language of Bangladesh and one
of the 23 national languages recognized by India. It is the official
language of West Bengal and the co-official language of Tripura,
Cachar District of southern Assam and Andaman and Nicobar
Islands.
67% Bengalis who use internet read online Bengali newspapers.
Majority of readership is in the age group of 21-40 years.
Professionals in the IT, education and media fields constitute almost
half (48%) the readership.
A large number of NRI Bengalis read online Bengali newspapers.
Proportion of female readers is considerably smaller than male
readers – only 13%.
Scope and Coverage
To conduct this study 11 online Bengali newspapers have
been taken into consideration. They are:
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Aajkaal
Abasar
Anandabazar Patrika
Bartaman
Daily Desher Katha
Ganashakti
Goldnews
Samayik Prasanga
Sangbad Pratidin
Century Sangabad
Uttarbanga Sambad
Comparative Analysis
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Publication and Distribution
Presentation of News Items
Option for Updated Breaking News
Running Headlines
News Sections
Arrangement of Pages
Hyperlink
News Search Option
Provision for Back Issues
RSS Feed
Focus Area of News
Bengali Font
PDF Version
Photography or Image
Impact of Online Bengali
Newspapers
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It is only in the last few years that Bengali newspapers
have entered a more temperate period, in which publishers
gradually work towards finding the appropriate place for
online version of newspapers in news market.
Bengali NRIs find easy access to Bengali newspapers and
keep themselves updated about political cultural and social
issues.
These save time for many internet savvy Bengalis.
Advertisements.
Evolved into a profitable industry.
Advantages
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Online newspapers are seamless and can also add
technologies.
Free of charge and easily accessible.
Online editions lend themselves to use as a research
medium.
More stories on the front page are available.
Offers links to internal archives.
Online configuration encourages users to control the
flow of information.
Limitations
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Online Bengali newspapers sometimes fail to open.
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No RSS feed.
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Updated breaking news is only provided in Anandabazar
Patrika.
Conclusion
The advent of internet has not spared the newspapers. The
newspaper publishers all over the world are facing the
challenge to compete with other electronic media. Good
online Bengali newspapers should publish verifiable news
in real-time i.e., live. They should incorporate news
updates and RSS feed to gain more popularity and
consequently a larger global circulation.