MUMBAI: After 25 years with Jagran Prakashan Ltd nd Jagran New Media, Bharat Gupta is stepping down as CEO, swapping boardroom battles for the unknown horrors of “new opportunities.”
“It has been an extraordinary journey,” said Gupta. “Leaving isn’t easy, but I do so with gratitude and optimism.”
Under Gupta’s reign, the company became a digital juggernaut, with him steering the organisation through an era of rapid technological change and shifting media consumption habits. From tackling misinformation to driving audience engagement, his leadership has left an undeniable mark:
* Strengthening Journalism: Launched VishvasNews.com, India’s pioneering fact-checking platform in 12 languages—because someone had to clean up the internet. In an age where facts are as slippery as politicians’ promises, the platform became a beacon of credibility.
* Expanding Reach: Led a multi-language expansion to bring credible journalism to the masses, whether they wanted it or not. Thanks to his initiatives, Jagran New Media now caters to audiences across India, ensuring no one is left out of the loop.
* Innovating Digital Media: Introduced HerZindagi.com, a bilingual, women-centric platform that dared to tell women what they already knew but in a way that algorithms would actually let them see it.
* Forging Alliances: Partnered with Google, Meta, and other overlords of the digital world, ensuring that Jagran New Media remained in the good books of the tech titans who decide what the internet looks like on any given day.
* Driving Growth: Earned global recognition and awards, which are great for press releases but still don’t pay the bills. Despite the industry’s turbulent nature, Jagran New Media remained a key player, balancing business sustainability with quality journalism.
With Gupta leaving, the question arises—who now will take over? For now, COO Gaurav Arora will take the wheel. Jagran New Media, meanwhile, reassures everyone that it will remain laser-focused on digital innovation, journalistic integrity, and convincing people to read beyond the headlines instead of just angrily reacting to them on social media.
Gupta remains deeply invested in the future of digital media—just not from behind the CEO’s desk. “The industry is evolving rapidly. This is a time for reflection and new beginnings,” he said.
