By IndScribe
Telegraph, the Calcutta-based English newspaper, has redefined the front pages of newspapers.
Creative, catchy and often shocking headlines, apart from unique presentation has brought this Kolkata based paper in discussions everywhere.
For decades, Telegraph has been a major English paper in India, but was confined to Eastern part of the country.
However, its sharp and attacking headlines, have now brought it popularity across the country.
Take for instance the front page on the left. ‘The Nashun’, on how govt shunned its responsibility.
Bold, anti-establishment line
Major Delhi-based newspapers aren’t too attacking [against government] in their approach.
Though there is an exception–Indian Express. But, Telegraph has no problem in taking a clear, strong anti-establishment line.
Whether against TMC led Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal or BJP government at the Centre.
After a big event, people now wait to see how Telegraph carries the story. Because, they are sure it would be different and unique.
Headlines to shock the readers
The paper has a circulation of over a million but it has never been serious about its online presence.
It does have a website. However, website or not, people click photograph of the Telegraph. The images of the front page are circulated through Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter.
It is not always that the headlines are shocking, sometimes they are simple too.
Bizarre headlines test your brain
And, at times, the headlines are bizarre. An example is the screenshot of the paper when symbols were published in the headline on the front page.
An effort is made to create a unique front page everyday. Sometimes you may need to put an effort to understand and you have to read the news to understand.
Redefining the rules in print media
Yes, in an era, when it was said that everything has to be straight as reader doesn’t have time, Telegraph redefines the rules.
The stories are long. They aren’t finished in 300¬400 words. The reports are exhaustive.
And yet, Telegraph is read, liked and its popularity is growing. Telegraph was established in 1982.
MJ Akbar was the editor, initially. Owned by Anand Bazar group, its current editor is Aveek Sarkar.
Once, The Statesman was the leading English paper in Kolkata then. Over the years, Telegraph became the most popular paper in the region. The group seems content with its reach. and hasn’t started Delhi, Mumbai or Chennai editions till now.
This post shows TEN FRONT PAGES of The Telegraph.
See some of the most talked about front pages of the Telegraph, with this post.
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IndScribe is an Indian-based journalist and blogs at http://www.anindianmuslim.com/