Sambad is an Indian newspaper of Odia language published daily from Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It is part of the Sambad Group media conglomerate, which also operates TV, radio, and digital platforms. It is one of the largest circulated Odia newspapers in the state. It is published from the capital city of Bhubaneswar, as well as from Cuttack, Brahmapur, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Baleswar, Jajpur, Jeypore, and Angul.
The first edition was published on October 4, 1984, in Bhubaneswar.
According to the newspaper, it has a daily circulation of more than 4 lakh copies and a readership of nearly 70 lakh across Odisha.
Sambad publishes several supplements and special sections, including:
The founder of Sambad is Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, a media entrepreneur and politician. He served as editor from the paperâÂÂs inception in 1984 until 2023, when he stepped down. His daughter Tanaya Patnaik was appointed as the new editor.
According to the official Sambad Group management page, the groupâÂÂs leadership includes:
In 2023, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha Police alleged that the Sambad group was involved in a loan fraud of around â¹50 crore, using forged salary certificates to secure loans. The EOW raided the newspaperâÂÂs offices in Bhubaneswar and other places.
Soumya Ranjan PatnaikâÂÂs dual role as a politician and media owner has also drawn attention. In 2023, he was removed from a party post in the Biju Janata Dal after writing editorials in Sambad critical of party leaders.