Note From The Founding Editors
Instead of the traditional models of
family-owned, corporate-funded and controlled or advertising-driven newspapers,
websites and TV channels, can we reimagine the media as a joint venture in the
public sphere between journalists, readers and a concerned citizenry? One in
which decisions over what to cover and how, who to hire and where to send a
correspondent or photographer, are taken by editors on the basis of
professional judgment, without worrying about what a proprietor or politician,
official or advertiser might think or want.
In a democracy, this is the least that
readers or viewers expect. And yet, the business model that underpins most
Indian news media seldom allows editors the freedom they need. Worse, it has
slowly eroded professional standards of reporting and contaminated the media
ecosystem with toxic practices like rampant editorializing, paid news and
‘private treaties’. Increasingly, media houses are reluctant to spend money on
newsgathering; and as they develop secondary business interests and ‘no go
areas’ proliferate, their newsrooms suffer further collateral damage –
especially as these interests often depend on proximity to politicians and
bureaucrats. Is it any wonder that readers have begun to notice the erosion of
professional standards, ethical breaches and fall in quality? They now feel
shortchanged.
The founding premise of DB
NEWS LIVE is
this: if good journalism is to survive and thrive, it can only do so by being
both editorially and financially independent. This means relying principally on
contributions from readers and concerned citizens who have no interest other
than to sustain a space for quality journalism.
As a publication, DB NEWS LIVE will be
firmly committed to the public interest and democratic values. Apart from
providing authoritative analysis and commentary, the aim, as our resources
grow, is to build ourselves as a platform driven by good old-fashioned
reporting on issues of national and international importance and interest.
Being on the web also means using new media technologies to change the way
stories are told. With data and interactive charts, video and audio as integral
parts of the narrative structure when warranted.
We start today on a modest note,
constrained not by our vision but by our resources. In the meantime, we make a
simple appeal: read us, share and tweet our content, and send us your feedback.