Karan Darda Elected INS President

Karan Rajendra Darda has been appointed as the president of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) for the 2026-27 term. The decision was made during the INS annual general meeting held on September 7. Darda, who is the executive director of Lokmat Media, expressed his gratitude and honor on being elected to the position.

Darda succeeds Vivek Gupta of Sanmarg, who served as president during the previous term. As part of the leadership transition, Tanmay Maheshwari of Amar Ujala has been appointed deputy president, while Harsha Mathew of Malayala Manorama will serve as vice president. Anant Nath of Delhi Press will continue as honorary treasurer.

Darda brings extensive experience in the newspaper industry, having worked across editorial, circulation, and business operations. He had previously served as vice president of the INS during 2024-25. Maheshwari is managing director of Amar Ujala, while Mathew serves as chief resident editor and director at Malayala Manorama.

The change in leadership comes as India's newspaper industry continues to navigate a rapidly evolving media environment. Publishers are dealing with changes in advertising patterns, circulation, digital consumption, and the economics of print publishing, while also adapting to increasing competition from online news platforms.

The INS represents publishers of newspapers, magazines, and periodicals across the country. It engages with a range of issues affecting the publishing sector, including advertising, newsprint, government policies, taxation, circulation, and press freedom. The newly constituted INS committee includes senior representatives from several prominent national and regional publishing organisations.

The INS has been actively addressing issues affecting the newspaper industry, including the quality of domestic newsprint. The organisation has urged the continuation of newsprint imports due to the poor quality of domestic newsprint. Representatives from various prominent newspapers, including Mathrubhumi, Daily Thanthi, Dainik Bhaskar, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, and Dainik Jagran, are part of the INS committee.

As the new president of the INS, Darda will play a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by the newspaper industry. His experience and leadership will be essential in navigating the evolving media landscape and promoting the interests of newspaper publishers across the country.

The appointment of Darda as the INS president is significant, as it comes at a time when the newspaper industry is undergoing significant changes. The INS will continue to work towards promoting the interests of newspaper publishers and addressing the challenges faced by the industry. With Darda at the helm, the organisation is expected to take a proactive approach in addressing the issues affecting the newspaper industry.

In conclusion, the appointment of Karan Darda as the president of the INS is a significant development for the newspaper industry. His experience and leadership will be essential in navigating the evolving media landscape and promoting the interests of newspaper publishers across the country. The INS will continue to work towards addressing the challenges faced by the industry and promoting the growth of the newspaper sector.