Read how India’s leading newspapers framed today’s most important domestic and international issues
How India’s leading newspapers framed today’s most important domestic and international issues – By Atul Sondhi
View from the Front is a daily product by The Pacific Insights that examines how influential Indian newspapers prioritise and frame key domestic and international developments through their front pages. By comparing editorial emphasis across publications, the product highlights agenda-setting trends and dominant narratives shaping public and policy discourse.
|
Methodology Note This assessment is based exclusively on front-page coverage from five influential newspapers: The Times of India, The Indian Express, The Hindu, Dainik Bhaskar, and The Telegraph (e-paper). The focus is on issue salience, framing, and tone rather than comprehensive reporting. Coverage is grouped under thematic areas aligned with The Pacific Insights’ core focus domains. |
Tracking Globe: Amidst Venezuelan turmoil, US President Trump made a significant statement regarding India, making headlines nationwide. “Trump asserts that India cut Russian oil to please him,” said The Hindu. The paper highlighted Trump’s threat to raise tariffs quickly if India does not “make me happy.” The Times of India quoted US Senator Lindsey Graham calling the threat effective in “forcing” countries not to buy Russian oil. The Indian Express carried quotes from both Graham and Trump: Modi knew “I was not happy,” it reported. Graham discussed a tariff proposal imposing a 500% levy on imports from countries buying Russian oil. The Hindu also included Congress’s comment that “the public display of bonhomie with the American President had yielded little diplomatic dividend.”
The Times of India prominently carried Trump’s threats to Cuba, Colombia, and Greenland. It reported outreach from Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez, inviting the US to “collaborate on the agenda of cooperation.” The Hindu, in a middle spread, noted: “Maduro pleads not guilty, says he is still the president.” “I am here kidnapped,” Maduro told a federal judge.
Dainik Bhaskar focused on crimes against Hindus in Bangladesh, reporting mass molestation of a Hindu widow who was tied to a tree and her head shaved. Another murder of a Hindu man was headlined: “5th Hindu killing in 19 days.” The Times of India devoted one column to a Hindu journalist’s killing; The Hindu ran a two-column story.
Tracking Crime: Denial of bail to two 2020 Delhi riots accused dominated front pages. Dainik Bhaskar reported the Supreme Court rationale for denying bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, calling them “main conspirators,” while five others granted bail were not. Three more items ran on the front page. The Hindu cited the court stating the evidence “prima facie attributes to them central and formative role” in orchestrating 2020 violence. The Telegraph ran Umar’s statement: “this is my life now,” while expressing happiness for others freed. The Indian Express highlighted the court extending the definition of terror, “raising the bar” for bail and justifying prolonged “pre-trial incarceration.”
Politics and Society: The Indian Express and The Hindu reported West Bengal CM’s plan to approach the Supreme Court against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging “fear, harassment, and administrative arbitrariness.” The Telegraph dedicated three columns to the story: “Commoner CM to move the Supreme Court against SIR,” quoting the CM: “the inhuman process has led to several deaths and hospitalisation.” Tamil Nadu’s political fight reached the big screen with two film releases, noted The Indian Express. Demand from seers led the Uttarakhand government to consider banning non-Hindus from 105 Haridwar ghats, reported TOI.
Economic World: ED raids against climate advocacy group Satat Sampada for alleged misuse of foreign donations were covered in The Indian Express. The Hindu noted the Supreme Court allowing a petitioner to approach the Centre on timely revision of EPFO (Employee Provident Fund Organisation) ceiling.
Eye on Environment: Foul air was highlighted as the National Green Tribunal issued notice to the Centre over a newborn’s ill health, reported The Hindu. In a key judgement, the Supreme Court told the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) not to cut further trees until 1.65 lakh trees are planted “to atone for illegal felling of 1051 trees to widen a road,” stated TOI.
Courting Controversies: Removal of Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from KKR IPL squad dominated front pages. The Indian Express noted the decision was taken at the highest level with no board discussion. The Hindu, in a bottom spread, cited Bangladesh’s “hurt sentiments” leading to an IPL telecast ban. A Bangladesh minister called the exclusion “condemnable.” Dainik Bhaskar highlighted the ban following “deteriorating political relations” with India.
Threats to Indian interests from Trump and Graham, denial of bail to Imam and Khalid, and mistreatment of Hindus in Bangladesh dominated headlines. Other politics, except on SIR, received limited coverage.
