Digital Desk: During the early part of the twentieth century, leading up to the independence of the country, the Assamese press played an important role in creating awareness among the people for freedom of the country. The journey of the Assamese newspapers started from Arunodoi, published in the year 1846 by American Baptist Missionaries. Since then, media in Assam has completed a considerably high legacy of 179 long years with contributions in every field of Assamese society. Thereafter, in a matter of few decades, several Assamese newspapers started serving the masses of the state.
Leading Assamese Newspapers:
Asomiya Pratidin
Asomiya Pratidin stands as the most widely read Assamese newspaper. The newspaper was started by Jayanta Baruah in 1995. It is the only Assamese newspaper that has four editions across Assam. They are published simultaneously from Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Bongaigaon, and North Lakhimpur.
In the post-agitation period, the Asomiya Pratidin rocked the monopoly of the old Assamese dailies. In 2008, the newspaper entered the Limca Book of Records as one of the most widely circulated regional language newspapers in Assam.
Amar Asom
Amar Asom is one of Assam’s most trusted newspapers, covering all important local developments, events, and issues. It was published by G.L. Publications Ltd on April 21, 1995. Its sister newspapers are The North East times, Purvanchal Prahari, and The Meghalaya Guardian. With publishing centres in Guwahati, Jorhat, and North Lakhimpur, it quickly gained popularity across the state. From 2003 to 2015, Homen Borgohain, a renowned Assamese author and journalist, served as the newspaper’s chief editor.
Gana Adhikar
Gana Adhikar is a Assamese regional daily, known for its insightful coverage of local issues. It is published from Guwahati and Silchar and is owned by Unity Media and Infrastructure Limited. The newspaper was founded in 1994 as a fortnightly, and then expanded into a daily.
Gana Adhikar’s main goal is to be the voice of the common people to fight for their rights and justice. Dr. Zakir Hussain serves as the newspaper’s chief editor.
Dainik Asam
Dainik Asam is the longest serving Assamese daily newspaper, breaking the myth that Assamese newspapers do not last for a long period. Published on August 4, 1965, it is owned by The Assam Tribune Group. The newspaper was one of the outcomes of the honest efforts of its founder, the Late Radha Govinda Baruah. The newspaper is published from Guwahati and Dibrugarh.
Kirtinath Hazarika was the first editor of Dainik Asam, and Dr Hitesh Deka is serving as the present editor of the newspaper.
Janambhumi
Janambhumi is one of the oldest and most respected Assamese language daily newspaper. It was launched in 1972 from Jorhat and is owned by Janambhumi Group of Publications. In addition to Jorhat, Janambhumi has two other editions from Guwahati and Tinsukia. These two editions were launched in 2004. Utpal Baruah serves as the newspaper’s editor.
Dainik Agradoot
Dainik Agradoot is a renowned Assamese daily newspaper, known for its strong editorial stance. The newspaper reaches out to the most remote corners of Assam as well as North East. It came into existence in the year 1971. This newspaper is published simultaneously form Guwahati, Jorhat, and Tezpur. The newspaper’s chief editor is Kanak Sen Deka, who is also presently the president of northeast newspaper society.
Niyomiya Barta
A relatively new entrant, Niyomiya Barta has quickly established itself as a newspaper with a modern outlook. The newspaper was launched on 4 March, 2011, and is run and published by Pride East Entertainment Private Limited. It is published simultaneously from Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Biswanath Chariali, and Goalpara. The newspaper’s editor is Naresh Kalita.
Janasadharan
Janasadharan is an Assamese daily newspaper and is dedicated to shedding light on issues affecting the daily lives of ordinary people. The newspaper began its publication in 2003 and is owned by Dr. Khargeswar Bhuyan. It is published simultaneously from Guwahati and Dibrugarh. As of 2011, the chief editor of Janasadharan is Dr. Sivanath Barman, a retired physics professor and an Assamese Scholar.
Conclusion
After Arunodoi, press in Assam never looked back. Assamese newspaper’s contribution in Assamese language, literature, and culture can never be measured. It provided people a base to form opinions and beliefs by making people aware of the events and things going in and around their surrounding areas. While digital transformation is changing the way people consume news, Assamese newspapers remain deeply rooted in the region’s language, culture, values, and aspirations.
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