Is this the golden age of Hindi journalism, which was born 200 years ago in Kolkata with the publication of the first Hindi newspaper, Udant Martand (Rising Sun) on May 30, 1826? Many editors and analysts assert that Hindi journalism today is richer in its coverage, makes more profits and is politically more influential than ever.

This is due to the expansion of the Hindi news media industry, especially after the liberalisation of the Indian economy in the 1990s.

They claim that it has become more professional. The number of pages in the average newspaper, its circulation and its reach have increased manyfold; printing has improved; and colour pages and supplements have become more frequent.

The scope of its coverage and the variety of topics have expanded. There are more trained journalists in newsrooms, many of them experts in various subjects. Their salaries and service conditions have improved.

Hindi journalism, they note, is not merely an extension of “Big Brother” English media or a translation of English newswire services.

They also argue that the popularity, expansion, and influence of Hindi news channels have made up for the remaining gap. Editors of major Hindi newspapers and anchors of Hindi news channels are stars in the media world.

There is no doubt that many of these...