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At NWMI, @nandinidurga, me and some other members have been following the story of how news media's business model is crumbling in India. We did two webinars on #journalismjobs loss and labour rights of journalists.
Details: http://www.nwmindia.org/component/k2/the-covid-19-pandemic-and-the-media-s-comorbidities
Details: http://www.nwmindia.org/component/k2/the-covid-19-pandemic-and-the-media-s-comorbidities
And @cyrilsam has been doing a fantastic job in documenting the collapse of the industry. Especially post- #COVID19. Read more here: https://medium.com/@Cyril_Sam
Given this, I am contemplating what the news media of tomorrow should look like. What should be our finance model? Who should we be accountable to? What is the importance of editorial checks and balances?
Unlike many western democracies with free media, India does not have strong local journalism. A newspaper that is accountable to the neighbourhood, a news site answerable to the town or a radio station that the city can rely on.
#localnews
#localnews
Given India's diversity, (heck, given each city's diversity) what we lack are news entities that focus on issues that affect us every single day. Answers to questions such as who is responsible to control air pollution in cities? What about solid waste management?
How to control traffic better? Why are buildings flouting regulations? What recourse does the migrant population have in large cities? How should cities be planned?
These are crucial questions that "national media" do not have the bandwidth for.
These are crucial questions that "national media" do not have the bandwidth for.
However, these are the questions that will make our day-to-day existence in urban spaces better. Therefore, in the coming years, some news media would do well to refocus on #localnews and serve one community better.
In that spirit, I call on journalists to pitch stories to me from Mumbai. I am a Consulting Editor at @citizenmatters, which launched its Mumbai Chapter on July 18 after 13 years of serving the community in #Bangalore and 5 years in #Chennai.
I am looking to focus reportage on healthcare and livelihoods. Of course, I dont need to explain why.
Anything you believe residents of Mumbai should care about. Importantly, anything you care about.
I am at raksha [at] http://citizenmatters.in
Anything you believe residents of Mumbai should care about. Importantly, anything you care about.
I am at raksha [at] http://citizenmatters.in
Another important part of the changing contours of news media is the inclusion of citizens doubling up as journalists. There have been reams and reams written on the pros and cons of #citizenjournalism. But, it is a fantastic tool to broadcast to your community.
Since @citizenmatters is serious about citizens taking on responsibilities of info dissemination and knowledge sharing, it is a great platform for any invested citizen to contribute. Write to me if you live in Mumbai and feel strongly about any aspect of the city.
A plastic surgeon wrote about how his apartment complex ensured that they had enough water esp during the summer months. Ever wondered what it takes to install a #rainwater harvesting system? https://mumbai.citizenmatters.in/an-apartment-complex-saved-187-houses-from-going-dry-heres-how-19636
Do you feed birds that fly onto your balcony or your windowsill? A wildlife biologist tells us why we should not. https://mumbai.citizenmatters.in/give-birds-a-chance-to-live-naturally-19630
When two marketing professionals in Mumbai took composting seriously, they inspired dozens more.
You can be inspired too. Read on. https://mumbai.citizenmatters.in/lockdown-driven-home-composting-by-mumbai-couple-19443
You can be inspired too. Read on. https://mumbai.citizenmatters.in/lockdown-driven-home-composting-by-mumbai-couple-19443
A 19-year-old boy refused to bribe the RTO. He wrote about how tough it was to get a driving licence. https://mumbai.citizenmatters.in/want-safer-roads-become-better-drivers-19698
Now that you sampled stories from residents of Mumbai, are you enthused to write about what concerns you? @Anupam_Guha @AnupaSahney @SloganMurugan @saurabh06taneja @yadavtartepatil @RishikaRaka @vijaypTOI @milkarmumbai @FromU2them @HouseOfBelongg @maherradesai @DwivediSurbhi
Yes, @citizenmatters is a platform for residents to share knowledge - in that, they are as important to our journalism as our reporters are. But, our reporters work hard to ensure issues of Mumbai are raised in appropriate places.
CC: @AUThackeray @BodkheShilpa @omnavalihalkar
CC: @AUThackeray @BodkheShilpa @omnavalihalkar
To sum up: India needs responsible #localnews media. @citizenmatters has been doing that. They launched a Mumbai Chapter this month. I am the Consulting Editor overseeing Mumbai. https://mumbai.citizenmatters.in/
Would love to hear from you.
Write to me: raksha [at] http://citizenmatters.in
Would love to hear from you.
Write to me: raksha [at] http://citizenmatters.in
