MUMBAI: English daily Hindustan Times has been cleared of charges of ?paid news? after an inquiry by a committee of the Press Council of India (PCI) found them to be baseless.

The committee accordingly has recommended to the full council that the matter be closed. The recommendations of the committee are generally accepted by the full council.

Earlier in January, it was reported that the PCI had decided to ?censure? HT along with some other papers for having carried news reports in the run-up to the Bihar Assembly elections of 2010 that were allegedly self-promotion material provided by the candidates in fray.
 
On 2 February, Hindustan Times editor-in-chief Sanjoy Narayan wrote that none of the four pieces ?in question? carried a politician?s quote, and reflected the voices of ?villages and farmers?. The paper, he had said, had done its ?checks? and would go back to ?the authority?.

The PCI committee also went through the clippings, which had been alleged to be paid news and found they were factual in nature or balanced. In fact, one story was about chopper trouble.

MUMBAI: HT Media?s FM radio broadcast and entertainment business has posted a profit of Rs 26.6 million before tax and interest for the third quarter ending 31 December compared to a loss of Rs 9.4 million in the same quarter last fiscal.

Revenue from radio segment jumped to Rs 213.5 million from Rs 172.7 million.

The company narrowed its loss from digital business to Rs 88.6 million from Rs 93.4 million in the previous fiscal. The company reported 18 per cent increase in revenues to Rs 138 million from Rs 117 million.

HT Media, which publishes Hindustan Times, has seen its profit from printing and publishing before tax and interest grow to Rs 837.8 million from Rs 790.7 million. Revenue from the segment has increased to Rs 5.1 billion from Rs 4.96 billion.

Net profit grew higher by 11 per cent to Rs 561 million from Rs 480.6 million. Total Income for the quarter rose 5 per cent to Rs 5.4 billion from Rs 5.2 billion.

Advertising growth during the quarter remained flat with a 2 per cent increase in advertising revenues of print segment to Rs 4.1 billion from Rs 4.0 billion primarily due to higher volumes.

Circulation revenue grew 12 per cent to Rs 565 million from Rs 503 million driven by higher circulation and realisation per copy.

Expenditure during the quarter grew to Rs 4.59 billion from Rs 4.46 billion. Consumption of raw materials declined to Rs 1.8 billion from Rs 1.86 billion due to lower consumption. Employee cost grew to Rs. 980 million from Rs. 936 million.

HT Media Chairperson and Editorial Director Shobhana Bhartia, ?We are pleased to report strong financial and operational performance this quarter. Our overall growth in revenue, combined with a persistent focus on cost optimisation, has resulted in a healthy improvement in profitability.

"This has been backed by the latest India Readership Survey, which has yet again confirmed our strong brand salience amongst English and Hindi dailies. We continue to expand our readership base in Mumbai and UP, and have retained our leadership positions in Delhi, Bihar and Jharkhand.

"In addition, our radio and digital businesses continue to deliver robust growth according to plans. We are confident that our strong and resilient business model, established brands and sustained focus on cost reduction will continue to create value and show even better results as the macro economic environment improves.?

The company has net cash of Rs 6 billion which is capable of supporting investments in growing businesses whilst exploring new opportunities.

NEW DELHI: Like in all other walks of life, women folks are increasingly catching up with men in media profession as well. In fact, it can be safely said that the fairer sex dominates media whether it be print, television channels, radio, and websites.

Addressing a panel discussion on ‘Sharing Experiences by Women in Media‘, organised by Ficci Ladies Organisation (FLO), NDTV Editorial Director Sonia Singh said almost 80 per cent of the workforce in her channel comprises women.

"In media, the divide is not between the two genders but between a parent and non-parent. The issue that comes to the fore is that a woman who has the responsibility of a child needs to maintain a balance between her home and office which can be challenging as the working hours in the media are erratic," Singh said.

Hindustan Times Editor HT City Sonal Kalra pointed out that there is only one male reporter in her team of 43 members which in itself explains how successful women are in media.

But the most vulnerable are the young girls who enter the profession as it looks glamorous from outside, and such myths and preconceived notions need to be dispelled. The young ladies must be groomed professionally and must be backed by the support and confidence of their superiors and the company.

Fortune India Senior Assistant Editor Sobha Menon said, "Behind the success of women a huge role is played by her family and husband. Women entrepreneurs are gaining ground in the media but they are dependent on family support to excel in the professional arena."

The discussion was moderated by Delhi Times senior editor and editor of the Times of India‘s Supplements in North India Anshul Chaturvedi, who said that in media a hierarchy is followed which is influence, visibility and money. It is seen that in the media women perform far better but their careers take a backseat in a family situation where they at times sacrifice their jobs for a male member of the family or for abiding by the decisions of the family.

FLO president Kavitha Varadaraj stated, "According to a report, at leadership positions women in media earn $20,000 more than their male counterparts and have so far performed better than the opposite sex."

Today the prominent media houses have women at the highest editorial positions and are the decision makers.

FLO Member & Garuda Advertising CMD Shilpi Arora emphasised that the mindset of the society needs to change with respect to women, and women must change their thought process which at times fosters narrow thinking.