Sakshi

Sakshi is an Indian Telugu-language media group whose principal businesses are the Sakshi daily newspaper, Sakshi TV, and related digital news services. The group’s first major asset, the Sakshi newspaper, was launched on 23 March 2008 through Jagati Publications Ltd., a company associated with Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Sakshi TV began broadcasting on 1 March 2009 through Indira Television Ltd. The group subsequently expanded its media presence through Sakshi.com, a Telugu news portal; Sakshi Post, an English-language digital news service; an electronic edition of the newspaper; and live and archived video services connected with Sakshi TV. The newspaper entered the Telugu daily market with a deliberately differentiated proposition. It launched with 23 editions, including editions serving locations outside Andhra Pradesh, and used a full-colour broadsheet format with high production values. Its launch pricing was materially below the prevailing prices of prominent Telugu newspapers, positioning Sakshi as a comparatively affordable mass-market alternative. The paper also used a distinctive visual design developed by newspaper designer Mario Garcia. These choices helped establish the title as a significant competitor to Eenadu and other Telugu-language newspapers. Sakshi TV was initially conceived under the name Indira Priyadarsini and was later renamed Sakshi TV, reportedly to benefit from the newspaper’s growing recognition. At launch, the channel promoted itself as a youth-oriented service and claimed to be India’s first high-definition television news channel. Its programming, like the newspaper’s coverage, has focused heavily on politics and public affairs alongside general news, business, crime, sport, science, entertainment and technology. The group has a close political association with Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the founder and promoter of its principal media assets and leader of the YSR Congress Party. Y. S. Bharathi Reddy, his wife, has been identified as chairperson of the group. Because of this ownership and political connection, commentators and opponents have frequently characterized Sakshi’s newspaper and television operations as partisan or supportive of Jagan Mohan Reddy and the YSR Congress Party. The group has rejected or faced criticism over the neutrality of its coverage, and Sakshi TV has been found by the News Broadcasting Standards Authority to have breached broadcasting ethics provisions on multiple occasions. Sakshi has also faced scrutiny concerning the relationship between political power, government advertising and media ownership. Reporting on the group has highlighted substantial allocations of Andhra Pradesh government advertising to the newspaper and television channel during the administration of Jagan Mohan Reddy’s father, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. A Central Bureau of Investigation chargesheet cited in public accounts of the group alleged that investments in the media business formed part of a broader quid pro quo arrangement involving beneficiaries of government decisions. Those allegations are matters of legal and political controversy rather than established facts about every investment or business activity. Beyond daily journalism, Sakshi organizes the Sakshi Excellence Awards, an annual event launched in 2015 that recognizes people and institutions associated with a range of fields, particularly within Telugu-speaking communities in India and abroad. The group therefore combines mass-market print publishing, television broadcasting, digital distribution and branded events. It remains an active regional media organization, particularly influential in the Telugu-language information environment, while its political alignment and editorial independence remain central subjects of public debate.

Sakshi emerged in the late 2000s during a period when Indian politicians and business figures were increasingly establishing media organizations to shape regional public debate. Its first principal asset was the Sakshi newspaper, launched on 23 March 2008 by Jagati Publications Ltd. and promoted by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. The newspaper entered a competitive Telugu-language market dominated by established daily titles. Its launch strategy combined a low subscription price with unusually polished presentation: the paper was produced as a large, full-colour broadsheet, initially ran to 30 pages, and used a design system associated with newspaper consultant Mario Garcia. It began with 23 editions, nineteen in Andhra Pradesh and four in major Indian cities outside the state. The newspaper’s pricing was intended to make it a less expensive alternative to leading Telugu dailies, which were reportedly priced at approximately ₹96–100 per month at the time. Sakshi was marketed at ₹60 per month. Its combination of low price, extensive edition coverage and high production quality enabled it to compete rapidly for readers and advertisers. By July–December 2019, Audit Bureau of Circulations data cited for the title gave it an average daily circulation of 10.64 lakh, placing it second among Telugu daily newspapers behind Eenadu and sixteenth among Indian newspapers across languages. The group expanded into television on 1 March 2009 when Indira Television Ltd. launched Sakshi TV. The channel had initially been associated with the name Indira Priyadarsini, but it was renamed before or around launch to connect it with the established newspaper brand. Its early positioning emphasized youth and modern broadcast technology; the channel claimed to be India’s first HDTV news channel. Sakshi TV became the group’s principal broadcast platform, providing continuous news coverage and later distributing clips, programs and archives through digital services. Sakshi’s digital operations broadened the group beyond traditional media. Sakshi.com developed as a Telugu-language news portal covering politics, business, crime, sport, science, entertainment and technology. Sakshi Post began as an English-language digital publication, initially associated with Sakshipost.com in October 2012. The group also operated an electronic newspaper, online archives, Sakshi Live TV and collections of previously broadcast video. These services allowed the brand to distribute content across web, mobile and streaming-oriented formats rather than relying solely on print circulation or linear television. The organization has remained closely linked to the political career and public identity of Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. His father, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, served as chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, and Jagan Mohan Reddy later founded and led the YSR Congress Party. Y. S. Bharathi Reddy, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s wife, has been identified as chairperson of the media group. This ownership structure has made Sakshi an important example of a politically connected regional media organization. Supporters can view it as a platform offering an alternative to rival Telugu media, while critics argue that its editorial output favors Jagan Mohan Reddy and the YSR Congress Party and treats political opponents unfairly. Government advertising has been a major point of controversy. Public accounts of the group state that Sakshi newspaper received more than half of Andhra Pradesh’s print-media advertising allocation during 2008–2011, while Sakshi TV received a substantial share of electronic-media advertising during 2009–2012. Critics attributed these allocations to preferential treatment during Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s chief ministership. In addition, a Central Bureau of Investigation chargesheet cited in discussions of the group alleged that many investments in the media business were quid pro quo bribes from parties that had benefited from allegedly improper government deals. These are allegations and political disputes, and should not be treated as a definitive finding that every investment or advertising allocation was unlawful. Editorial controversies have continued alongside the group’s growth. Sakshi TV has been found by the News Broadcasting Standards Authority to have breached its ethical code on several occasions. One particularly prominent episode followed Rajasekhara Reddy’s death in a helicopter crash on 2 September 2009. In January 2010, Sakshi TV relayed a conspiracy theory published by an American journalist in a Russian online tabloid, alleging that the Ambani brothers had arranged the crash. The report was followed by attacks on Reliance-owned businesses in Andhra Pradesh, criminal cases against Sakshi TV and NTV, and criticism from the Editors Guild of India, which urged the channels to stop irresponsible and sensational reporting. In 2015, Sakshi added a recognition and event platform through the Sakshi Excellence Awards. The annual ceremony honors individuals and institutions from various fields, with particular emphasis on the Telugu-speaking community in India and abroad. Today, Sakshi operates as a cross-platform regional media brand: its newspaper remains central to its identity, while television, web publishing, digital editions and video extend its reach. Its commercial scale and public importance are balanced by persistent questions about political alignment, editorial independence, regulatory compliance and the relationship between media ownership and state power.

• 2019

  Newspaper circulation reaches reported 10.64 lakh average daily copies

  [1]Sakshi (media group)en.wikipedia.org

  Audit Bureau of Circulations figures cited for July–December 2019 place Sakshi second among Telugu dailies and sixteenth among Indian newspapers across languages.

• 2015

  Sakshi Excellence Awards launched

  [1]Sakshi (media group)en.wikipedia.org

  The group establishes an annual awards program recognizing people and institutions from diverse fields.

• 2012

  English digital publishing expands

  [1]Sakshi (media group)en.wikipedia.org

  The English-language Sakshi Post digital service is initially launched in association with Sakshipost.com.

• 2010

  Conspiracy-theory broadcast triggers legal and editorial backlash

  [1]Sakshi (media group)en.wikipedia.org

  Sakshi TV relays a disputed claim concerning the helicopter death of Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, leading to criminal cases and condemnation from the Editors Guild of India.

• 2009

  Sakshi TV begins service

  [1]Sakshi (media group)en.wikipedia.org

  Indira Television launches the 24-hour Sakshi TV news channel after rebranding the planned Indira Priyadarsini service.

• 2008

  Sakshi newspaper launches

  [1]Sakshi (media group)en.wikipedia.org

  Jagati Publications launches the Telugu-language Sakshi daily with 23 editions and a low-price, full-colour broadsheet format.

A mass-market Telugu news network combining print, television and digital distribution, differentiated by broad regional reach, accessible newspaper pricing, high-production presentation and a strong political-public-affairs focus.

• Telugu daily newspaper · 2008

  Sakshi newspaper

  The group’s founding media product, launched in 2008 as a Telugu-language daily. It began with 23 editions, including broad coverage of Andhra Pradesh and editions in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai. Its launch proposition combined a comparatively low monthly price with a 30-page, full-colour broadsheet and professionally designed layouts. The newspaper covers politics, public affairs, business, crime, sport, entertainment, science and other general-interest subjects.

• 24-hour television news channel · 2009

  Sakshi TV

  A Telugu news television channel launched by Indira Television in 2009. It was promoted as a modern, youth-oriented news service and was associated at launch with a claim to be India’s first HDTV news channel. Its output includes political and current-affairs coverage together with general news, video programming and material distributed through the group’s digital platforms.

• Telugu digital news portal

  Sakshi.com

  The group’s main Telugu-language online news portal, publishing coverage across politics, business, crime, sport, science, entertainment, technology and other subjects. It extends the Sakshi newspaper identity into web and digital distribution and also hosts or connects to other Sakshi services.

• English digital news portal · 2012

  Sakshi Post

  An English-language digital news service associated with Sakshi. It was initially launched as Sakshipost.com in 2012 and later hosted through the Sakshi digital ecosystem, providing an English-language extension of the group’s regional news operation.

• Digital newspaper edition

  Sakshi e-paper

  The digital edition of the Sakshi newspaper, supplemented by access to earlier editions and archives. It provides readers with an online version of the print publication and supports distribution beyond the newspaper’s physical circulation network.

• Online video and live-streaming service

  Sakshi Live TV

  A digital video service providing live access to Sakshi TV along with clips and archives of previously broadcast programs. It links the group’s linear television operation with web-based and on-demand consumption.

• Annual awards and branded event · 2015

  Sakshi Excellence Awards

  An annual event launched in 2015 to recognize individuals and institutions in multiple fields, especially those connected with Telugu-speaking communities in India and around the world. It extends the brand beyond news publishing and broadcasting into cultural and public recognition.

• 2010

  Broadcast of helicopter-crash conspiracy theory

  Sakshi TV relayed an unsubstantiated theory alleging that the Ambani brothers orchestrated the 2009 helicopter crash that killed Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. The broadcast was followed by attacks on Reliance businesses, criminal cases against channels and condemnation by the Editors Guild of India.

  Source

• Alleged political bias and partisan media role

  Sakshi newspaper and Sakshi TV have been widely criticized as politically aligned with Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and the YSR Congress Party. Critics argue that their coverage favors Reddy and is biased against political rivals.

  Source

• Government advertising and investment allegations

  The group has faced allegations of receiving preferential government advertising during Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s chief ministership. A CBI chargesheet also alleged that investments in the media group were connected to quid pro quo arrangements involving parties that benefited from government decisions.

  Source

• News broadcasting code breaches

  Sakshi TV has been found by the News Broadcasting Standards Authority to have violated provisions of its news broadcasting code of ethics on multiple occasions.

  Source

Read more

• 2015Sakshi Excellence Awards

  India · Telugu-speaking communities worldwide

  Sakshi created an annual awards platform to recognize achievements by people and institutions in a range of fields, with a particular focus on the Telugu-speaking community.

  Outcome. The awards became a recurring branded event and broadened Sakshi’s public-facing role beyond news distribution.

  Source

• 2012

  Expand into English-language digital newsStrategy

  Background

  The group’s initial print and television assets were primarily Telugu-language operations. Digital publishing offered a way to reach English-language readers and diversify distribution.

  Action taken

  Sakshi introduced the English-language Sakshi Post service, initially associated with Sakshipost.com.

  Aftermath

  The English service became part of a broader digital ecosystem that also included the main Telugu portal, e-paper and live video.

  Source

• 2009

  Extend the brand into 24-hour television newsProduct launch

  Background

  After establishing the newspaper, the group sought a broadcast platform capable of continuous news coverage and wider audience reach.

  Action taken

  Indira Television launched Sakshi TV on 1 March 2009, emphasizing youth-oriented programming and modern television technology.

  Aftermath

  Sakshi became a cross-platform media group, although the television operation later faced recurring criticism and regulatory findings concerning broadcast ethics.

  Source

• 2008

  Enter the Telugu daily newspaper market with low pricing and premium productionProduct launch

  Background

  Sakshi entered a market in which prominent Telugu newspapers reportedly charged about ₹96–100 per month. The new title sought rapid readership growth through a lower price, broad edition coverage and a visually distinctive full-colour format.

  Action taken

  The newspaper launched at ₹60 per month with 23 editions and a 30-page colour broadsheet design.

  Aftermath

  Sakshi became a major Telugu daily and was reported to rank second in Telugu circulation by 2019.

  Monthly newspaper price. Approximately ₹96–100 per month for leading Telugu dailies → ₹60 per month for Sakshi at launch (2008 launch)

  Source

• 2015

  Sakshi Excellence Awards established[1]Sakshi (media group)en.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  The group introduced an annual awards program honoring individuals and institutions from fields associated with Telugu-speaking communities.

• 2009

  Sakshi TV begins broadcasting[1]Sakshi (media group)en.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Indira Television launched Sakshi TV as a 24-hour news channel, following the newspaper’s introduction the previous year.

• 2008

  Sakshi newspaper launches with 23 editions[1]Sakshi (media group)en.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Jagati Publications launched the Sakshi Telugu daily with editions across Andhra Pradesh and additional editions in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai.

1. 1Sakshi (media group)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Sakshi official websitesakshi.com