Tribune Group to remain committed to public cause
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 2
The Tribune Group of newspapers will continue to be committed to the cause of public. It will reinvent its role with the change in times. Instead of competing with other newspapers through marketing and circulation gimmicks, The Tribune Group will champion the cause of people, liberalisation and secularism in a non-partisan and moderate manner, said Justice R.S. Pathak, Chairman, The Tribune Trust, here today.
He was speaking at an impressive function organised on the premises of the The Tribune here to celebrate the 123rd Founder’s Day of the newspaper. Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia had started The Tribune as a weekly newspaper at Lahore on this day in 1881.
Justice Pathak called upon the employees to rededicate themselves to fulfil the objectives of the newspaper espoused by its founder, Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia.
Justice Pathak said, “He was a great visionary who was ahead of his times. He started the newspaper to protect the rights of people against vested interests, including the British imperialists, and to spread the message of liberalism, modernity and brotherhood.”
Mr H.K. Dua, Editor-in-Chief of the Tribune Group of newspapers, said, “ We will be guided by the public interest and will stand as a vigilant voice against the misdeeds of irresponsible politicians and callous administration. Unlike other newspapers, the Tribune newspapers will champion the ‘voice of people’ and will not play into the hands of any corporate house, government or individual.”
Brushing aside the threat from other newspapers, he asserted, “we do not face any serious threat as long as we remain as the voice of the people and are guided by non-profit motive and spirit of idealism. “Referring to the challenges before the Tribune Group, Mr Dua said, “Instead of focusing on the present popularity of the newspaper, we will have to make efforts for growth through an open mind approach, innovation and experimentation.”
Referring to stiff competition from other newspapers, Mr R.N.Gupta, General Manager, Tribune Trust, said, “Instead of diversifying into other areas, the group will focus on its core activity — dissemination of news in a non-partisan manner. Keeping in view the mandate of the newspaper written in the Tribune Trust charter, our focus will be to build up the internet edition of the newspaper, besides taking initiatives for the welfare of society by collaborating with NGOs.”
Elaborating the achievements of the group, Mr Gupta said, “We have already started online booking of the advertisements and classifieds in addition to several initiatives on the front of marketing and circulation. Redeployment of office staff and reduction in newsprint wastage by 3 per cent have resulted in substantial savings. Despite the increase in the cost of newsprint and other inputs, the Tribune Group is likely to close financial year with a net profit of Rs 11 crore against Rs 8 to Rs 9 crore profit registered last year.”
He appealed to all the employees to work as ‘brand ambassadors’ of the newspaper and to enroll at least 10 new readers personally. He urged them to make efforts to enhance the satisfaction level of readers, advertisers and institutions by improving quality of the newspapers, both in editorial content and presentation of news. He added, “Our aim should be to produce zero defect newspapers that would satisfy our well wishers and readers.”
Earlier, Mr Balbir Singh Jandu, President, Tribune Employees Union, assured the management on behalf of employees that the union would support the management to strengthen the newspaper. Trustees Dr R.P. Bambah, Mr R.S. Talwar and Justice S.S. Sodhi also attended the function.