Jagran Prakashan to publish facsimile edition of ‘The Independent’

Jagran Prakashan Limited (JPL), which publishes ‘Dainik Jagran’, has announced a strategic tie-up with the Irish daily, ‘The Independent’. Under this, the group will publish the facsimile version of the international edition from Delhi.

Shailesh Gupta, director, Jagran Group, says that it will happen soon. The date of launch will be confirmed after approval from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Modalities about the print run, pricing and the number of pages will be worked out simultaneously with the MIB’s verdict. This, he said, is because the concept of facsimile editions is still new in India and hence the business model is in the process of finalisation.

He adds, “The partnership is mutually beneficial, since we are an apt vehicle to present an editorially superior international newspaper to the Indian reader.” Also, he claims that there’s an existing market for the daily in India.

Initially, the daily will be distributed only in Delhi, and later taken to other major cities in the country. Promotion for the daily will be handled by ‘The Independent’. To begin with, the circulation will be through existing channels (hawkers), and will later be deputed to a distributing agency.

Independent News & Media Plc (INM) is a leading international media and communications group, with properties in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK and now India. The group plans to raise its current stake of 20.8 per cent in JPL by 1-3 per cent. Also, JPL is in talks to sell 20 per cent stake in its upcoming radio venture to INM.

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