Dawn.com fast heading towards digital convergence, says editor

JournalismPakistan.com | Published April 23, 2015

Join our WhatsApp channel

Dawn.com fast heading towards digital convergence, says editor

ISLAMABAD: Dawn.com is undergoing massive internal and external changes to converge web with the print edition that will ultimately lead to digital convergence of the newspaper and television channel.

In an interview with JournalismPakistan.com, Dawn.com Editor Jahanzaib Haque (pictured) said the changes being introduced to Dawn's website are happening to both meet a long-term strategic vision for the company, as well as set new standards for local and hopefully global websites.

“Our old logo DAWN.COM has now been replaced by the newspaper's DAWN logo. This is the first of a series of internal and external changes being implemented to converge web with the print edition,” he said.

According to Alexa Global Rank, Dawn.com is the 1,795th ranked site in the world and this is the highest global rank of any Pakistani news website in English or Urdu. The website currently has as many as 250,767 daily unique visitors, 1,494,057 daily page viewers, 3,978,903 monthly unique visitors and 47,159,718 monthly page viewers.

With help of the newspaper editor Zaffar Abbas and senior management representing both Dawn (print) and DawnNews (TV channel), the idea of digital convergence is paving a way for an integrated newsroom, said Haque.

He said the brandless Urdu site urdu.dawn.com is converted into DawnNews.tv after going through massive revamping, redesigning and refocusing for the TV, with lots of video content and rapid news updates.

“Dawn.com is now undergoing a major revamp to bring it closer to the paper. Each section is being redesigned to deliver the best of print in a format that is indigenous to web and this is coming soon,” he said.

Haque said the Dawn.com team is banking on readers appreciating the new, closer alignment with Dawn (the print edition) because that is a truer reflection of who we are and want to be. “The improved online reading experience and performance are a happy consequence of that ongoing, endless process of innovation and integration,” he said.

Talking about his future plans, he said the Dawn.com team plans to revamp homepage of Dawn.com, as well as all the sections to bring visitors closer to the print edition, while still maintaining the speed and flavor of being online and this is already well underway.

Dawn.com wants to get all or most print and TV reporters delivering information and stories in a 'platform neutral' way, where web, print and TV all benefit simultaneously, he said.

“The biggest challenge is getting the TV channel to be a part of this integration. These are early days but I am hopeful that it will happen, starting online,” he said.

Haque said that his team and he usually derive inspiration from sites like New York Times, Boston Globe and Medium. “Wherever we see a good idea that could work for Dawn and our readers, whom we consider globally attuned and extremely web savvy, we emulate it, try to localise it and tweak it to fit us, and then innovate on top of it,” he said.

Sindhi journalist AD Shar brutally murdered, PFUJ declares three-day mourning

April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.

AJK government registers case against newspaper and staff

April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.

Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges FIA threats, possible arrest over reporting

April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.

Noorani’s missing brothers: Court orders IG to produce individuals

April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.

Journalist Farhan Mallick granted bail

April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.

Ghulam Abbas Shah joins Discover Pakistan as Head of Programming

April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.

PFUJ condemns Pakistani journalists' visit to Israel as an ethical violation

April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.

Can films fight terrorism? Dawn raises doubts

March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?

Newsroom

Nominations open for IPI’s 2025 Press Freedom Awards

April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.

Journalist burned alive while reporting Kathmandu protest

April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Digital journalist arrested for corruption reporting in India

April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.

Judge temporarily blocks Trump administration's move to dismantle VOA

March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.

Turkey deports BBC journalist over 'public order' threat, fines TV channels

March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.