Re-launch of Frontline Magazine

In the era of real time news defined by the “breaking news” syndrome, there is still a demand for long form journalism that not only relays information, but also compels the readers to think and question, said Vice- President Hamid Ansari on Thursday, at the re-launch of the news magazine, Frontline.

The Vice- President, who was a regular contributor to the news magazine, before taking oath of office in 2007, noted that despite the incursion of audio visual media, the demand for serious journalism, as personified by Frontline remains.

“In today’s age, the audio-visual media has emerged as a dominant medium for quenching the thirst of the target audience for real time news on current affairs, culture and entertainment. Despite this, there remains a real and popular demand for serious publications on topical issues which cannot be substituted by the ‘breaking news’ culture and short-attention span snippets in the domain of the electronic media,” he said.

While he commended the editorial stance at the Frontline of retaining relevance in changing times for a newer readership, Mr, Ansari said he was initially a little sceptical about the Frontline’s re-launch. “I may be forgiven for admitting that I am moderately conservative and tolerably radical – conservative in habits and radical in thinking. For this reason, I was less than enthused with the suggestion that I attend today’s re-launch function. I could not help recalling the old maxim don’t fix what is not broke. To me personally, ‘Frontline’ has always been a stimulant to the mind apart from providing good reading on most matters that I care to spend time on.

The need for a remix in Bollywood terms therefore did not arise. Nor was there a need to replace persuasion with titillation. I was assured that the change would be conservatively radical rather than explicitly so!” the Vice-President said.
Referring to the editorial policy and the content of publications like The Hindu and Frontline, Mr. Ansari said: “The ‘Hindu Group’ has a rich legacy, and current practice, of sustaining its foundational motto of ‘fairness and justice’. ‘Frontline’ subscribes to it in full measure and will, I am confident, continue to do so. The theme of the debate scheduled for today, on some of the core values of our Constitution, is sufficiently serious, focused and relevant, and testifies to it.”
N. Ram, former Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu and Frontline made mention of Mr. Ansari’s contribution to the news magazine on West Asian affairs and assured that the magazine will continue to give voice to issues that affect the lives of people and remain committed to serious journalism, unaffected by marketing blitzkrieg.
“Frontline was launched in December 1984 as an all colour fortnightly with plenty of visual content. The trigger for its publication was the acquisition of a colour printer from Japan and the then editor of The Hindu G Kasturi was clear that newspapers in India had to raise the game and no take readers for granted,” he said.
Over decades, Frontline has evolved as a progressive, critical fortnightly that has focussed on issues like deprivation, culture, socio-economic aspects rather than lifestyle, leisure and feel good, he said, pointing out that the absence of long form journalism is a “serious deficit” that needs to be addressed.

“The news magazine has focussed on issues that affect the lives of people in India, the eighbourhood and the world. The content of the magazine has never been diluted in the blinkered pursuit of numbers,” Mr. Ram said. Frontline, he said has always tried to be different, it has space for long form journalism, interviews, essays, picture features, strong content on key issues related to political, social and economic aspects that matter in the long term. It is secular, pro people and seeks to create space for contrary views through arguments, criticism, interviews and analysis, Mr. Ram pointed out. On the changes that the readers will see in the news magazine, he said: “Over the years even the serious readers have commented that we are too heavy. We want to be lively while being serious.”

The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari re-launched the “Frontline” magazine at a function here today. He commended the editors and publishers for this initiative aimed at retaining relevance in changing times for a newer readership. He wished ‘Frontline’ continued success in the service of discerning readers.”

Addressing on the occasion he said that to him personally, ‘Frontline’ has always been a stimulant to the mind apart from providing good reading on most matters that he care to spend time on. The need for a remix in Bollywood terms therefore did not arise. Nor was there a need to replace persuasion with titillation.

He said that in its new avatar the magazine would have attractive photo essays on art, culture, heritage, wildlife, environment and land & people. It will also have new columns on media and literature, snapshots on developments in India, a science notebook, apart from in-depth analyses of the social, political and economic issues of the day. 

The Vice President said that the ‘Hindu Group’ has a rich legacy, and current practice, of sustaining its foundational motto of ‘fairness and justice’. ‘Frontline’ subscribes to it in full measure and will continue to do so. The theme of the debate scheduled for today, on some of the core values of our Constitution, is sufficiently serious, focused and relevant, and testifies to it.

He opined that in today’s age, the audio-visual media has emerged as a dominant medium for quenching the thirst of the target audience for real time news on current affairs, culture and entertainment. Despite this, there remains a real and popular demand for serious publications on topical issues which cannot be substituted by the ‘breaking news’ culture and short-attention span snippets in the domain of the electronic media.

Following is the text of the Vice President’s address :

“I may be forgiven for admitting that I am moderately conservative and tolerably radical – conservative in habits and radical in thinking. For this reason, I was less than enthused when the Shri Venkitesh Ramakrishnan met me with the suggestion that I attend today’s re-launch function.

I could not help recalling the old maxim don’t fix what is not broke. To me personally, ‘Frontline’ has always been a stimulant to the mind apart from providing good reading on most matters that I care to spend time on. The need for a remix in Bollywood terms therefore did not arise. Nor was there a need to replace persuasion with titillation.

I was assured that the change would be conservatively radical rather than explicitly so! The presence here of Mr. N. Ram and Professor Romila Thapar provides further reassurance.

Having jettisoned my misgivings, I am happy to be here today for the re-launch of the ‘Frontline’. I understand that in its new avatar the magazine would have attractive photo essays on art, culture, heritage, wildlife, environment and land & people. It will also have new columns on media and literature, snapshots on developments in India, a science notebook, apart from in-depth analyses of the social, political and economic issues of the day. 

This audience knows that the ‘Hindu Group’ has a rich legacy, and current practice, of sustaining its foundational motto of ‘fairness and justice’. ‘Frontline’ subscribes to it in full measure and will, I am confident, continue to do so. The theme of the debate scheduled for today, on some of the core values of our Constitution, is sufficiently serious, focused and relevant, and testifies to it.

In today’s age, the audio-visual media has emerged as a dominant medium for quenching the thirst of the target audience for real time news on current affairs, culture and entertainment. Despite this, there remains a real and popular demand for serious publications on topical issues which cannot be substituted by the ‘breaking news’ culture and short-attention span snippets in the domain of the electronic media.

I commend the editors and publishers for this initiative aimed at retaining relevance in changing times for a newer readership. I wish ‘Frontline’ continued success in the service of discerning readers.”