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If there's one topic that is likely to lead many Indians to despair today, it is the state of the Indian media. The major outlets are all in various degrees of crisis - the TV channels have greatly reduced ground reporting; and the main newspapers dodge key issues and avoid genuine reportage. With a few honourable exceptions, the mainstream media loves to at best kowtow to the powers that be or, at worst, act as their propaganda outlets. Fake news on the mainstream media is no longer an unusual event. Hate speech and calls for discrimination are practically a daily affair now, especially on Hindi TV news channels. Indeed, the Hindi media has seen perhaps the worst deterioration of all.
As a result many people are now turning to social media or other methods of accessing information. But the problem is that this too is dominated by quick takes and propaganda cells. Even to use social media effectively, we need genuine reportage and commentary that is not driven by the needs of the government or big corporates alone. The collapse of the media has left us bereft of reliable information.
There are several efforts to fill in the vacuum. Today we want to ask for your help with one such effort - the Hindi news outlet janchowk.com.
What makes Jan Chowk Important?
Founded in March 2017, Jan Chowk has been focused on grounded reportage and equally grounded commentary, it's been publishing pieces that reach thousands of readers. Jan Chowk works with reporters in Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam, as well as regular contributors from several other parts of the country. Most of those regularly involved are senior journalists in their own right, with years or decades of experience in newspapers and other media outlets (you can read more about them here: https://janchowk.com/about-us/). All of Jan Chowk's reporters and commentators share a commitment to the twin values of reportage and democracy. They also bring to their coverage a deep understanding of the social and political realities of India - qualities that are absent from much mainstream media coverage today.
When you look at Jan Chowk's website - janchowk.com - the difference with mainstream media outlets is immediately apparent. We hope you agree with us on the importance of a venture like this.
Why Jan Chowk Needs Your Help
Jan Chowk has accomplished all this on a shoestring budget. Unlike the mainstream media Jan Chowk refuses to take money from either governments or big corporations. It has instead depended on donations.
But this year Jan Chowk is attempting a major expansion, both because it is needed and because we hope it will bring in more donations from readers. We need your help to pay for the first four months of this expansion. We're hoping to find additional and more regular sources of donations over the course of these four months.
Here is an initial estimate of the costs per month:
Desk (editors, web designers, etc.): 85,000 per month
Regular reporters (ten): 65,000 per month
Freelance contributors (70): 50,000 per month
Total: 2,00,000 per month
You might note that, compared to mainstream media houses, these costs are miniscule.
Hence for four months Jan Chowk will need eight lakhs.
We hope you'll join us in this venture, given how vital a stronger media is for our democracy, for our future and for our daily lives.
As a result many people are now turning to social media or other methods of accessing information. But the problem is that this too is dominated by quick takes and propaganda cells. Even to use social media effectively, we need genuine reportage and commentary that is not driven by the needs of the government or big corporates alone. The collapse of the media has left us bereft of reliable information.
There are several efforts to fill in the vacuum. Today we want to ask for your help with one such effort - the Hindi news outlet janchowk.com.
What makes Jan Chowk Important?
Founded in March 2017, Jan Chowk has been focused on grounded reportage and equally grounded commentary, it's been publishing pieces that reach thousands of readers. Jan Chowk works with reporters in Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam, as well as regular contributors from several other parts of the country. Most of those regularly involved are senior journalists in their own right, with years or decades of experience in newspapers and other media outlets (you can read more about them here: https://janchowk.com/about-us/). All of Jan Chowk's reporters and commentators share a commitment to the twin values of reportage and democracy. They also bring to their coverage a deep understanding of the social and political realities of India - qualities that are absent from much mainstream media coverage today.
When you look at Jan Chowk's website - janchowk.com - the difference with mainstream media outlets is immediately apparent. We hope you agree with us on the importance of a venture like this.
Why Jan Chowk Needs Your Help
Jan Chowk has accomplished all this on a shoestring budget. Unlike the mainstream media Jan Chowk refuses to take money from either governments or big corporations. It has instead depended on donations.
But this year Jan Chowk is attempting a major expansion, both because it is needed and because we hope it will bring in more donations from readers. We need your help to pay for the first four months of this expansion. We're hoping to find additional and more regular sources of donations over the course of these four months.
Here is an initial estimate of the costs per month:
Desk (editors, web designers, etc.): 85,000 per month
Regular reporters (ten): 65,000 per month
Freelance contributors (70): 50,000 per month
Total: 2,00,000 per month
You might note that, compared to mainstream media houses, these costs are miniscule.
Hence for four months Jan Chowk will need eight lakhs.
We hope you'll join us in this venture, given how vital a stronger media is for our democracy, for our future and for our daily lives.
