In a significant development within the landscape of Indian journalism, K.N. Shanth Kumar, a seasoned media professional with a wealth of experience, has been elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Press Trust of India (PTI), serving a one-year term. This announcement follows the Annual General Meeting held at PTI’s headquarters in New Delhi, signaling a transition in PTI’s leadership. Mr. Shanth Kumar takes the reins from Aveek Sarkar, who led as Chairman for two consecutive terms, ushering in a fresh perspective and innovative ideas for India’s premier and oldest private news agency.
Accompanying Mr. Shanth Kumar in this new leadership lineup is Praveen Someshwar, the Chief Executive Officer of Hindustan Times, who assumes the position of Vice-Chairman of PTI’s Board of Directors. Together, they are set to chart the strategic course of PTI in the year ahead.
Aged 62, K.N. Shanth Kumar brings a wealth of media management experience to his role. His association with The Printers (Mysore) Pvt. Ltd. dates back to 1983, where he has held various significant positions over the years. His contributions to the media landscape go beyond his current position at PTI; he has previously served as the Chairman of the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) and played a dedicated role on the Executive Committee of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) for over two decades.
This marks Mr. Shanth Kumar’s second term as Chairman of the PTI Board, with his prior tenure spanning from 2013 to 2014.
Founded just a fortnight after India’s independence in 1947, the Press Trust of India holds the distinction of being the country’s most extensive and oldest private news agency. Established by a consortium of newspapers, which remain its owners, PTI uniquely reinvests its profits to support the ongoing development and modernization of the news agency, without disbursing dividends to shareholders.
K.N. Shanth Kumar’s ascendancy to the role of Chairman signifies a new chapter for PTI, underscoring its enduring commitment to delivering reliable and timely news to the nation.
As India’s media landscape continues to evolve, these changes in leadership are poised to influence PTI’s trajectory and define its role in the ever-changing realm of journalism.