South India’s Leading Digital Publishers Form SIDPA

The South India Digital Publishers Association (SIDPA), a non-profit organization, has officially been established to represent and safeguard the interests of digital news publishers, digital media entrepreneurs, and independent journalists throughout South India who focus on producing high-quality branded content for digital platforms.

In a significant step for South India’s digital media ecosystem, prominent digital platforms from the region have come together under a single umbrella for the first time. SIDPA aims to bolster press freedom and encourage ethical journalism in the region. The association views this collaboration as a landmark moment, emphasizing the power of unity among independent publishers.

The digital audience of SIDPA member websites has surpassed the viewership of many traditional newspapers. Several of these platforms attract more readers than long-established print publications and TV channel websites. Together, they hold a substantial share of the total digital news traffic, including that of newspaper and TV news portals. This highlights a major shift toward trust and engagement with independent digital journalism.

Founding Members
The founding members of SIDPA include:

Kalyan Kolli (M9 News)
Krishna Mandalapu (Indian Clicks)
Nagendra Arumilli (Gulte)
Pradeep Y (Telugu360)
Srinivasa Rao Chilukuri (AP7AM)
Vamsi Reddy N (123Telugu)
Venkat Arikatla (GreatAndhra)
Venkateswara Reddy Illuri (Tupaki)

The association now includes over 20 digital publishers from across South India. SIDPA’s mission is to protect press freedom while promoting high ethical standards in journalism. With increasing scrutiny and pressure on regional outlets, SIDPA serves as a unified voice for the digital publishing sector, catering to South India’s diverse linguistic and cultural audiences.

SIDPA has also formed an Internal Committee of individuals recognized for their long-standing contributions to digital journalism and media.

SIDPA Office Holders