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{{Short description|Indian Tamil daily newspaper}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox newspaper
| name = '''Dinamalar'''
| logo =
| image =
| caption = National news Paper
| type = Daily Newspaper
| format = Broadsheet
| owners = Family owned.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}
| founder = [[T. V. Ramasubbaiyer]]
| staff =
| foundation = 6 September 1951
| language = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| ceased publication =
| headquarters = [[Chennai]], India
| circulation = 942,812
| sister newspapers =
| ISSN =
| oclc =
| website = [http://www.dinamalam.com dinamalar.com]
| circulation_date = Jan-Jun 2016
}}

'''''Dinamalar''''' is an Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]] daily [[newspaper]]. It was founded in 1951 by T. V. Ramasubba Iyer.<ref>{{Cite news|title= Dina Malar founder's contributions recalled|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/26/stories/2009032659880400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330034354/http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/26/stories/2009032659880400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 March 2009|work= [[The Hindu]]|date=26 March 2009}}</ref> ''Dinamalar'' has an average circulation of 942,812 (ABC Jan-June 2016)<ref name="ABC-IND">{{cite web| url= http://www.auditbureau.org/files/Highest%20Circulated%20amongst%20ABC%20Member%20Publications%20(across%20languages).pdf| title=Submission of circulation figures for the audit period July - December 2015| publisher=[[Audit Bureau of Circulations (India)|Audit Bureau of Circulations]] |access-date=5 January 2016}}</ref>

==History==
Dinamalar was founded by [[T. V. Ramasubbaiyer]] on 6 September 1951 at [[Thiruvananthapuram]]. The operations were moved to [[Tirunelveli]] in 1957.<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.dinamalar.com/founder.asp|title=About us, Dinamalar|access-date=25 July 2015|publisher=dinamalar.com}}</ref>

==Circulation==
The newspaper is printed in 10 cities in Tamil Nadu namely [[Chennai]], [[Coimbatore]], [[Erode]], [[Madurai]], [[Nagercoil]], [[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]], [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]], [[Tiruchirappalli]], [[Tirunelveli]], [[Vellore]]<ref name="History" /> and [[Bangalore]]. As of 2016, the newspaper has a circulation of 942,812.<ref name="ABC-IND"/>

== Content ==
The investigative journal [[Cobrapost]] released an undercover investigation and video which exposed the executives of Dinamalar speaking of promoting [[Hindutva]] and promoting the agenda of [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) and the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Newslaundry|title=Newslaundry {{!}} Sabki Dhulai|language=en-us|work=Newslaundry|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/shorts/cobrapost-releases-part-2-of-operation-136-stings-media-houses-hindutva|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Dinamalar: We have a lot of same wavelength with the BJP family is around, says Director|url=https://cobrapost.com/blog/Dinamalar/1053|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-22|website=Cobrapost|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525134551/http://www.cobrapost.com/blog/Dinamalar/1053 |archive-date=25 May 2018 }}</ref> Cobrapost reported that the Director Lakshmipathy Adimoolam was devoted to the ideology of the RSS. In the operation, Adimoolam went on to say that his family's loyalty to the RSS and the BJP has harmed their business a lot. Director Adimoolam also mentioned "We have a lot of same wavelength with the BJP family is around."<ref>{{Cite news|date=2018-05-25|title=Cobrapost Exposé: We Got A Direct Call From The PMO To Share Personal Data Of Our Users, Paytm VP Ajay Shekhar Allegedly Says In Video|language=en-IN|work=HuffPost India|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2018/05/25/cobrapost-expose-we-got-a-direct-call-from-the-pmo-to-share-personal-data-of-our-users-paytm-vp-ajay-shekhar-allegedly-says-in-video_a_23443460/|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Cobrapost Sting: Big Media Houses Say Yes to Hindutva, Black Money, Paid News - The Wire|url=https://thewire.in/media/cobrapost-sting-big-media-houses-say-yes-to-hindutva-black-money-paid-news|access-date=2018-05-28|website=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-09-30|title=ஹிந்துத்துவாவை பரப்ப ஒப்புக்கொண்ட தினமலர் ?|url=https://youturn.in/articles/dinamalar-believe-hindu-spirituality.html|access-date=2021-10-22|website=You Turn|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-25|title=:: Cobrapost ::|url=https://cobrapost.com/blog/Dinamalar/1053|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225043411/https://cobrapost.com/blog/Dinamalar/1053|archive-date=2019-12-25|access-date=2019-12-25}}</ref>

Dinamalar in July 2021 published [[fake news]] claiming that Tamil Nadu's western area was going to be made into a separate union territory called [[Kongu Nadu]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-10|title=கொங்கு நாடு உருவாகுது, தமிழ்நாடு இரண்டாக பிரிகிறது என தினமலர் வெளியிட்ட தவறான செய்தி !|url=https://youturn.in/factcheck/kongu-naadu-dinamalar-news.html|access-date=2021-10-22|website=You Turn|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Controversies ==

On 8 September 2008, Dinamalar's supplementary edition Computer malar carried a cartoon of the Islamic prophet, [[Muhammad]] which led to protest from Islamic groups.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/tight-security-in-tn-after-terror-alert/story-GciK86CoHh9NzTlEpFeUGL.html|title=Tight security in TN after terror alert|date=2008-09-25|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-03-11}}</ref>

On 22 April 2019, Dinamalar received a backlash after its headline on the [[2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings]] report was seen to be mocking Christians and Jesus. The report titled "O...Sesappa" which meant Oh...Jesus in a mocking tone was seen offensive by many. Dinamalar Office asked for police protection following the incident.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nadappu.com/dinamalar-ask-for-police-protection/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224111620/https://nadappu.com/dinamalar-ask-for-police-protection/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-02-24|title=மோசமாக தலைப்பிட்டு மொத்துப்படும் தினமலர்: பாதுகாப்பு கேட்டு போலீசாரிடம் தஞ்சம்|date=2020-02-24|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref> Many readers on social media objected the heading. Following this, Dinamalar published an explanation and expressed its regret.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Webdunia|title=இலங்கைக் குண்டுவெடிப்பு 'கேலி' தலையங்கம் – மன்னிப்புக்கேட்டது தினமலர் !|url=http://tamil.webdunia.com/regional-tamil-news/dinamalar-appoligied-on-srilankan-bomb-blast-title-issue-119042300009_1.html|access-date=2021-10-22|website=tamil.webdunia.com|language=ta}}</ref>

In January 2019, Dinamalar posted a [[Body shaming|body-shaming]] cartoon of the BJP's Tamil Nadu President [[Tamilisai Soundararajan]]. The cartoon depicted the BJP leader playing ring toss, makes her look wantonly disheveled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/dinamalar-catroon-bodyshames-bjp-tamil-nadu-chief-slams-perversion|title=Cartoon Body Shames Tamil Nadu BJP Chief, She Slams the Perversion|last1=January 31|first1=The News Minute|last2=IST|first2=2019 at 03:49 AM|date=2019-01-30|website=The Quint|access-date=2019-12-24}}</ref> Soundarajan slammed the cartoon and said "Those with a basic lack of respect for women are capable of opining in this manner."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-30|title=Cartoon in Dinamalar body shames BJP leader Tamilisai, she slams the perversion|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/cartoon-dinamalar-body-shames-bjp-leader-tamilisai-she-slams-perversion-95940|access-date=2021-10-22|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref>

Dinamalar called the [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]] as "Palani" instead of "Palaniswamy" in July 2020. The incident caused a controversy. A protest was held in Coimbatore today on behalf of the Social Justice People's Party and at the end of the protest the Dinamalar newspapers were set on fire.<ref>{{Cite web|title='முதல்வர் பழனி': கோவையில் தினமலரை எரித்த வாசகர்கள்|url=https://tamil.samayam.com/latest-news/state-news/people-protesting-in-coimbatore-burning-dinamalar-news-paper-against-defamation-of-tn-cm-eps/articleshow/77284622.cms|access-date=2021-10-22|website=Samayam Tamil|language=ta}}</ref>

== Legal cases ==
In October 2009, Dinamalar published an article claiming that several [[Tamil people|Tamil]] film actresses were involved in [[prostitution]] along with pictures and names. The [[South Indian Film Artistes' Association]] petitioned to have the senior sub editor arrested and staged a rally condemning the same. The rally was led by [[Rajinikanth]] with other actors including [[Vijayakanth]], [[Sarath Kumar]] and [[Suriya]]. The senior sub editor of the newspaper, Lenin was arrested under Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Women Harassment Act and was sent to judicial custody.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tamil daily editor held for film story - Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/tamil-daily-editor-held-for-film-story/526509/|access-date=2021-10-22|website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hotklix.com/content/news/India/Dinamalar-Bhuvaneswari-Dinamalar-Editor-Arrested|title=Dinamalar editor arrested|access-date=25 July 2015|publisher=hotclix.com}}</ref> He was released on the next day on protests from Chennai Press Club, Madras Union of Journalists, [[Press Trust of India]] and the [[Indian Newspaper Society]]. Dinamalar stated that the news was obtained from ethical sources and there was no secondary agenda.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dinamalar.com/journalhead.asp|title=Dinamalar press release|access-date=25 July 2015|publisher=dinamalar.com}}</ref>

In February 2012, [[Vanniyar Sangam]] leader and [[Member of Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of Legislative Assembly]], [[Kaduvetti Guru]] lodged a complaint to Police Commissioner seeking the arrest of Dinamalar editor Krishnamurthy and its publisher Lakshmipathy for publishing news insulting the [[Vanniyar]] caste and trying to create [[Caste-related violence in India|caste violence]]. The article published by Dinamalar read, "Vanniyars do not interact and keep their distance with other castes. Vanniyars been involved in anti-social activities due to poverty and even though they have show elevated status in society, they are widely known for their [[violence]] and oppressive behavior.<ref>{{Cite web|title=தினமலர் கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி, லட்சுமிபதி மீது போலீஸ் கமிஷனரிடம் புகார|url=https://www.dinakaran.com/News_Detail.asp?Nid=1667|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-22|website=Dinakaran|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722165650/https://www.dinakaran.com/News_Detail.asp?Nid=1667 |archive-date=22 July 2021 }}</ref> Due to this, other [[caste]]s follow an unwritten rule to not do business with Vanniyars. Due to this, Vanniyars are introducing themselves in the community as [[Gounder]] in order to avoid professional harm." [[Pattali Makkal Katchi]]'s leader [[G. K. Mani]] asked why Dinamalar hates Vanniyars so much and also said that the newspaper had constantly defamed the Vanniyars.<ref>{{Cite web|title=சாதி மோதலை தூண்ட சதி : தினமலர் கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி, லட்சுமிபதி மீது போலீஸ் கமிஷனரிடம் புகார|url=https://www.dinakaran.com/News_Detail.asp?Nid=1628|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-22|website=Dinakaran|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722165736/https://www.dinakaran.com/News_Detail.asp?nid=1628 |archive-date=22 July 2021 }}</ref>

In September 2019, A Judicial Magistrate in Krishnagiri sentenced [[the Editor and the Publisher]] of Tamil daily Dinamalar to two years’ imprisonment in a defamation case filed by a police inspector. The Judicial Magistrate passed the order on a private complaint lodged by an inspector, who was posted in Krishnagiri in 2005. The complainant said in a column “Tea Kadai Bench”, published in the daily, it was alleged that he received kickbacks from those trading in illicit liquor that was transported from Bengaluru into Tamil Nadu via Hosur. Besides, the report alleged that he had acquired properties through illegal means. Though he had sent a legal notice to the daily seeking damages of ₹10 lakh, the publication did not respond to it. The lawyers representing the editor and the publisher had argued that it was the duty of the media to hold those in positions accountable. However, the magistrate held that the article was not backed with evidence and lent to “gossip mongering”. The court said the write-up, that had not named the complainant in the allegations, however, ended up directly naming him as a conversational tool.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/editor-publisher-awarded-two-years-jail-for-defamation/article29345365.ece}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.dinamalar.com/|mobile=http://m.dinamalar.com/}}

{{Tamil-language media}}
{{Newspapers in India}}

[[Category:Mass media in Chennai]]
[[Category:Mass media in Coimbatore]]
[[Category:Mass media in Madurai]]
[[Category:Newspapers published in Tiruchirappalli]]
[[Category:Tamil-language newspapers published in India]]
[[Category:Publications established in 1951]]
[[Category:1951 establishments in Madras State]]

Dinamalar - Revision history

UpdateBot at 23:08, 9 June 2022