📰 History of Journalism in Odisha: A Legacy of Language, Resistance, and Reform

📜 Early Beginnings

The journey of journalism in Odisha began in the mid-19th century, during the colonial era, with the rise of vernacular press. The very first newspaper in Odia, “Utkala Deepika”, was launched in 1866 by Gourishankar Ray and Babu Bichitrananda Das from Cuttack.

It wasn’t just a newspaper—it was a movement.

• It played a critical role in shaping Odia identity during a time when the language itself was under threat.

• Odisha was then divided among Bengal, Bihar, and Madras presidencies. Odia journalism became the voice for linguistic unification and statehood.

• These early publications fought for administrative independence and social reform.

✊ Journalism as a Tool for Social and Political Reform

From the late 1800s to early 1900s, Odisha’s print media became a powerful tool for:

• Eradicating social evils like untouchability, child marriage, and caste discrimination.

• Promoting education, women empowerment, and nationalism.

• Highlighting the exploitation of Odias under colonial rule.

Key early publications included:

• “Utkal Deepika” (1866) – First Odia newspaper.

• “Utkal Patra”, “The Odia O’Nabasambad”, and “Dainik Asha” – strengthened literary and political discourse.

🗞️ The Freedom Struggle Era

During India’s independence movement:

• Odia newspapers became centers of nationalist thought, echoing the voices of Mahatma Gandhi, Gopabandhu Das, and Madhusudan Das.

• “Samaja”, founded by Gopabandhu Das in 1919, became one of the most influential nationalist newspapers in Odisha.

These media platforms exposed:

• Colonial atrocities

• Peasant oppression

• Tribal exploitation in the Eastern Ghats

• The plight of flood and famine victims

They helped mobilize people, educate rural masses, and create unity in a fragmented linguistic region.

🏛️ Post-Independence Media Growth

After 1947, Odisha saw the rise of both public and private media outlets:

• “The Samaja”, “Dharitri”, “Prajatantra”, and “Anupam Bharat” became key dailies.

• Radio and Doordarshan centers started operations from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, taking news to the rural and tribal belts.

• Regional journalism flourished with a focus on agriculture, development, and literature.

🌐 The Modern Digital Era

Today, Odisha’s media is rapidly evolving:

• Leading Odia dailies like Sambad, Dharitri, Samaja, and Pragativadi have digital editions and social platforms.

• YouTube channels, WhatsApp news groups, and hyperlocal journalism are booming in rural and tribal regions.

• Journalists now cover mining conflicts, tribal rights, cyclones, climate change, and government accountability.

However, challenges like media-politics-business nexus, pressures on editorial independence, and low safety for rural journalists remain.

🎙️ Odisha’s Media – More Than Just News

Odisha’s journalism has always been a voice of the people:

• It protected Odia identity.

• Empowered freedom fighters.

• Exposed exploitation.

• And continues to challenge systems of power.

As digital transformation takes over, the spirit of resistance, reform, and regional pride still defines Odisha’s media landscape.