The Rise of Sakshi: How Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy Built a Media Powerhouse

 

Sakshi Media Group was founded by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy in 2008 as a strategic blend of journalism, political influence, and mass communication. Today, it stands as one of the most powerful Telugu-language media networks, with a newspaper, TV channel, and digital presence that shape public opinion across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Sakshi Newspaper: A Bold Entry into Telugu Print

• Launch Date: March 23, 2008
• Founder: Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, through Jagati Publications Ltd.
• Format: Broadsheet, Telugu-language daily
• Circulation: Over 10.6 lakh daily (as of 2019), making it the second-largest Telugu daily

Key Moves:

• Introduced full-color printing across all pages—an industry first in Telugu print.
• Positioned itself as a modern, youth-friendly alternative to legacy papers like Eenadu and Andhra Jyothi.
• Delivered strong coverage of YSR Congress Party (YCP) narratives, often seen as a counterbalance to rival media houses.

Sakshi TV: Expanding into Broadcast

• Launch Date: March 1, 2009
• Channel Owner: Indira Television Ltd., also founded by Jagan Mohan Reddy
• Chairperson: Y. S. Bharathi Reddy (Jagan’s wife)

Impact:

• Became a 24/7 Telugu news channel with a focus on political coverage, social issues, and emotional storytelling.
• Frequently aligned with YCP viewpoints, especially during election seasons and political controversies.
• Known for its high TRP spikes during YSR tributes, rallies, and government announcements.

Digital Expansion: Sakshi.com and Sakshi Post

• Sakshi.com serves as the group’s primary online news portal, offering real-time updates, editorials, and multimedia content.
• Sakshi Post targets younger audiences with English-language coverage and social media integration.

Digital Influence:

• Strong presence on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter/X.
• Emotional headlines and viral clips often trend during political events and crises.

Strategic Influence and Criticism

• Sakshi is widely regarded as a propaganda outlet for YSR Congress Party, drawing criticism for biased coverage
• Despite this, it has built a loyal audience base that trusts its emotional tone and pro-YSR legacy storytelling.
• Its rise challenged the dominance of Eenadu and Andhra Jyothi, reshaping Telugu media dynamics.