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Entity Type: Domestic Media Company

Khaosod

Khaosod , is a daily newspaper founded on April 9, 1991, as part of Matichon Publishing Group, which also operates Matichon and Prachachat. The newspaper currently holds the rank of third best-selling newspaper in Thailand. Khaosod gained prominence in 1994 for its extensive coverage of the cover-up murders of a Thai gem dealer’s wife and son, initially reported by many newspapers as a roadside accident but which Khaosod insisted involved senior Royal Thai Police officers ordering the abduction and murder. The newspaper was awarded Best News Feature from Isra Amanantakul Foundation that year for its coverage. The online section experienced a 98% rise in visits in 2010, and Khaosod English was launched in 2013.

Al Yamamah Press Establishment

Al Yamamah Press Establishment founded in 1963 in Riyadh, is one of Saudi Arabia’s most influential media companies. The establishment publishes the Arabic daily newspaper Al Riyadh (الرياض), whose first issue was published on May 1, 1965. The company also publishes the weekly magazine Al Yamamah (اليمامة), originally founded by prominent Saudi journalist and historian Sheikh Hamad Al Jassir (حمد الجاسر) in 1953. The magazine was initially titled Al Riyadh and later renamed Al Yamamah. In 1963, Al Yamamah Press Establishment began publishing the magazine on a weekly basis after acquiring the rights from Al Jassir. The company also publishes Riyadh Daily, an English-language publication that began as a newsletter in the 1960s, was developed into a broadsheet in 1985, and transitioned to a digital-only format on January 1, 2017.

Le Quotidien

Le Quotidien is a major independent Senegalese daily newspaper founded in February 2003 by Madiambal Diagne, a lawyer and former journalist from Wal Fadjri. Published by Avenir Communication SA, the newspaper maintains its independence by deriving approximately 60% of revenue from sales rather than advertising, allowing it to maintain what Diagne describes as editorial content that “tells things as they are.” Operating from Dakar, Le Quotidien has established itself as “among Senegal’s leading newspapers, and probably the most circulated independent newspaper” through its critical reporting on political, economic, social, and cultural issues. The publication gained international attention when Diagne was imprisoned for over two weeks in July 2004 for articles alleging government corruption, though charges were later dropped following domestic and international pressure.

Aajkaal

Aajkaal is a Bengali-language daily newspaper founded in 1981 by Abhik Kumar Ghosh and headquartered in Kolkata, India. The broadsheet publication, owned by Aajkaal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., covers business, entertainment, politics and other subjects with what it describes as “political neutrality” and “strong principles and authentic reporting.” The newspaper includes an evening edition Sandhya Aajkaal and maintains regional editions in Siliguri and Agartala, Tripura state, in addition to its online presence. Chief Editor Gour Kishore Ghosh, described as “a veteran journalist and socialist,” helped establish the paper’s early credibility, while current Editor-in-Chief Ashok Dasgupta brings sports journalism experience. In May 2021, Aajkaal Tripura correspondent Samir Dhar was attacked by alleged ruling party supporters, marking his third such incident since 2018, prompting demands for investigation from professional associations.

Australian News Channel Pty Ltd

Australian News Channel (ANC) is a media company that operates Sky News Australia and related channels. The company was founded in 1995, originally as a joint venture between British Sky Broadcasting, Seven Media Group, and Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (澳洲廣播出版有限公司). Sky News Australia itself launched on 19 February 1996 as Australia’s first domestically produced television news channel. The company operates several broadcasting services, including Sky News Australia, Sky News Extra, Sky News Weather Channel, Sky News Regional, and international services like Sky News New Zealand. News Corp Australia acquired the entire company in December 2016, buying out the original stakeholders who had rejected a News Corp takeover offer of A$20 million in June 2015, with the owners wanting a minimum of A$50 million. The deal was worth approximately A$20 million according to industry sources.

Fairfax Media Group

Fairfax Media was a major Australian media conglomerate that operated newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and digital properties across Australia and New Zealand from 1841 until its acquisition by Nine Entertainment Co. in December 2018. Founded when John Fairfax purchased The Sydney Morning Herald, the company expanded to control flagship publications including The Age and The Australian Financial Review. Despite its historical significance in Australian journalism, Fairfax faced mounting financial pressures in the digital era, implementing widespread staff cuts and transitioning to paywalls before ultimately losing its independence. The company’s willingness to engage in media partnerships with Chinese state entities, including signing cooperation agreements with China Daily and China Radio International in 2016, reflected broader industry trends of seeking revenue streams amid declining traditional media revenues.

United News of Bangladesh

United News of Bangladesh (UNB) is Bangladesh’s first fully digitalized private wire service, founded in 1988 as one of the first news agencies in South Asia. The organization claims to maintain correspondent networks across all 64 districts of Bangladesh and says it serves “over 20 million readers” locally and internationally through its principal partnership with Associated Press (AP), the world’s largest wire service. Originally serving print media subscribers, UNB has adapted to digital transformation by launching its interactive website unb.com.bd, which aggregates both domestic news from its extensive Bangladesh network and international content through its AP partnership. The agency describes itself as Bangladesh’s “most dependable and credible source of news and information,” evolving from traditional print distribution to embrace mobile and internet platforms as electronic media revolutionizes news creation and distribution in an increasingly paperless media environment.

Prothom Alo

Prothom Alo is Bangladesh’s largest-circulation Bengali-language daily newspaper, founded November 4, 1998, and published from Dhaka by Transcom Group’s Mediastar Ltd. The newspaper claims daily readership of 6.6 million for its print edition and 7.6 million across all platforms, with its online portal described on its X profile as “the most visited Bengali website in the world.” Prothom Alo has distinguished itself through investigative reporting on acid attacks, violence against women, and campaigns against drugs and religious terrorism. The publication has faced government pressure, including the 2021 detention of senior reporter Rozina Islam under the Official Secrets Act and a 2007 cartoon controversy that resulted in a supplement ban. Sister concerns include ABC Radio FM 89.2, Prothoma Prokashon publishing house, and several magazines covering science, politics, and youth topics. The newspaper organizes Bangladesh’s Mathematics Olympiad and won the 2025 “Best in South Asia” award from the International News Media Association.

The Daily Star

The Daily Star is Bangladesh’s largest circulating English-language daily newspaper, founded by Syed Mohammad Ali on January 14, 1991, as the country transitioned to parliamentary democracy. As of 2025, Mahfuz Anam served as editor and publisher, with the newspaper owned by Mediaworld Limited, where Transcom Group holds major shares. The BBC described it as having a “reputation for journalistic integrity and liberal and progressive views – a kind of Bangladeshi New York Times.” The publication gained popularity for outspoken coverage of politics, corruption, and foreign policy. The newspaper has faced government pressure, including suspended advertisements in 2015 and website blocking in 2018 after reporting an extrajudicial killing. Controversies include Anam’s 2016 admission on ATN News of publishing military intelligence-fed stories during 2007-2008 and Executive Editor Syed Ashfaqul Haque’s February 2024 jailing on child abuse charges following domestic worker Preeti Urang’s death.