ABC debunks myth of print media’s death

ABC council member Shashidhar Sinha said there is a misconception that print media is losing its relevance.

The Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) has challenged popular belief that the print media in the country is dying, by releasing data to show that 2.37 crore newspaper copies were added in the last 10 years despite stiff competition from television and digital media.

The ABC, which computes and publishes circulation figures of print publications since 1948, presented its findings for the last decade in Mumbai on Monday. To the surprise of many, the report showed a 4.87% increase in circulation, equating to a 2.37 crore rise in the number of copies sold. Additionally, KPMG, a consultancy service, projected a 7% increase in circulation over the next five years.

Credible information

Speaking at the event, ABC council member Shashidhar Sinha praised the findings, saying that there was a misconception that print is losing its relevance. “In no other market in the world you will find this. A rise in education, a growth in the economy and the fact that print remains the best place to source credible information from are the main reasons for this 4.87 % growth,” he said.

Extolling the ABC’s research methods, Mr. Sinha said the process conducted by independent auditors changed over a period of two years.