Earlier this week, Times of India and Economic Times parent BCCL announced major editorial changes signaling focused editorial convergence and synergies between traditional print and digital media, which reflects in the formation of The Times of India Editorial Board and the mentorship role handed to TOI’s editorial director Jaideep Bose, relieving him from daily operational challenges.

“In keeping with Jojo’s (as Bose is lovingly known in the Indian journalistic community) wishes and in alignment with the company’s long-term vision, a new Editorial structure has been crafted that’s aimed at strengthening current systems & processes even as it prepares for the future,” an official communiqué from the BCCL executive committee stated.

Pointing out that Jojo will “step back from daily operational responsibilities” assuming a wider strategic role, the communiqué, reviewed by Indianbroadcastingworld.com, said, “With the production, distribution and consumption of content, across media, changing at a dramatic pace – throwing up new opportunities as well as challenges for the media industry – Jojo will focus on longer-horizon ideas and projects aimed at consolidating and enhancing Brand TOI’s position as the pre-eminent destination for news, views, analysis and features.”

As part of this overarching objective, Bose, who had been at the helm of first ET and then TOI since 2004, will facilitate greater integration between print and digital with a view to enriching TOI’s relationship with its audiences, it was elaborated.

However, one of the longest serving editors in the TOI group, Bose, would chair the new editorial board.

The official statement elaborated Bose wanted the “next-in-line Editorial Leadership to assume national operational responsibilities” in recognition of their “abilities and sterling contribution”, and as the logical step in their career progression.

The new structure will see Vikas Singh be the new Executive Editor (News) in overall charge of all news content that goes into the paper; Derick D’Sa re-nominated as Executive Editor (National Coordination); Diwakar, already on an extension, continuing as Executive Editor (Politics and Government) and head of all news bureaus; Saubhik Chakrabarti, presently Associate Executive Editor of ET, taking over as Editor of the TOI Edit Page upon incumbent’s retirement and Rohit Saran, who moved from the paper to the online edition last year as Editor-in-Chief, be a core member of editorial board.