Contemporary Landscape of Urdu Journalism in India: Challenges, Influence, and Future Prospects
Shah Alam
Saiba Khatoon
DOI:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16879889
Abstract. This paper investigates the historical evolution, contemporary status, and socio-political influence of Urdu journalism in India. Tracing its origins to the British colonial period with early publications such as Jām-i Jahān Numā (world showing goblet), Urdu journalism has historically served as a crucial platform for political discourse, cultural preservation, and community engagement. During the Indian independence movement, it played a significant role in mobilizing public opinion. In the post-independence era, Urdu media outlets have continued to shape public opinion, promote communal harmony, and address social justice issues. Despite facing challenges such as financial constraints, political pressures, and the decline of print media, Urdu journalism is currently undergoing a substantial digital transformation. This paper explores the adaptation of Urdu media to the digital age, examines current readership demographics, and assesses the evolving role of Urdu newspapers in shaping both national and international narratives. By analyzing the challenges and opportunities within Urdu journalism, including the potential for growth through online platforms and youth engagement, this study provides insights into the future trajectory of Urdu media in India.
Keywords. Urdu Journalism, Digital Transformation, Political Influence, Cultural Preservation, Media Challenges.
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Dr. Shah Alam is Associate Professor in the School of Mass Communication, IMS Unison University, Dehradun. He is an accomplished academic with over 10 years of teaching and research experience. He holds a Ph.D. from Aligarh Muslim University and has served at prestigious institutions including Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. His areas of interest include media pedagogy, communication research, and media and gender issues. Dr. Alam has contributed extensively through research papers, conference presentations, and academic development programs. He has also held several administrative roles, demonstrating commitment to academic leadership and institutional growth in higher education and media studies.
Email: shahalamamu@gmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1528-5072
Dr. Saiba Khatoon is Assistant Professor (Urdu) at Sunderwati Mahila College, Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur. Dr. Saiba Khatoon has done her M.A. and Ph.D from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. She qualified the UGC-NET with Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). Her research interests include Urdu fiction, and contemporary criticism. Dr. Khatoon has presented papers at seminars and conferences and published extensively in reputed journals. She is dedicated to promoting Urdu language and literature through research, teaching, and academic engagements.
Email: saiba.urdu@gmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6401-5569
Contemporary Landscape of Urdu Journalism in India: Challenges, Influence, and Future Prospects © 2025 by Shah Alam and Saiba Khatoon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
