A Review of #NLHafta from Sayani Dasgupta, Gangeyyo Bhattacharjee, Vivek Ananth and Karan Bhasin

WrittenBy:NL Team
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Dear NL Hafta team,

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Before I introduce myself, let me begin by saying that I am a subscriber! My name is Sayani Dasgupta and I am a postdoctoral researcher currently working in New York City.

I have been following Newslaundry for the past year and I must say that amidst this politically charged and biased media landscape, you guys are the only notable exception. For a long time, especially post the 2014 elections, I have found myself constantly at odds with a predominantly left or right narrative. There are times when my opinions could label me as either a “sickular” or a “bhakt“, and personally I abhor both labels. And that’s why I like NL and especially Hafta – probably the only media platform where nuance is still alive.

Besides, I love that every Hafta, I learn something new from the esteemed panel ─ whether it be about the political history of India or the world in general, or personal insights from your years of journalistic experience. On that note, I would request Madhu to conduct more interviews with journalists from the 70s and 80s, and Abhinandan to start the Cleaners again.

Anand is one of the rare voices of reason on Twitter, and I do agree with his views many times. But on theKashmir issue, would respectfully disagree. I think it’s presumptuous for us to assume that Kashmiri Muslims should willingly accept the Indian state. I am no expert, but I feel putting the onus of a solution on the Kashmiri Muslims will only be detrimental.

I loved Deepanjana’s article on Bhupen Khakhar and it will be great to read more stories from her on Indian art and artists.

I had another request, an odd one perhaps. Is it possible to invite journalists from Pakistan as guests on Hafta? They probably might not have opinions on the latest occurrences in India, but it will be interesting to hear them talk about South-east Asian politics, Kashmir in particular. Right now, the only narrative from Pakistan we hear on national television, thanks to Times Now, is skewed at best, with their commentators trying their best to out shout ours.

I will end with a big thank you to Kartik for diligently bringing us Hafta every week and here’s looking forward to many more scintillating Haftas!

Regards,
Sayani

Dear Newslaundry Team,

I will try to keep my mail short as I know its a pain reading it entirely.

Its a pleasure listening to all of you every week. Its like a Friday release I look forward to very eagerly. The amount of information that is packed in the hour long show (sometime exceeded) is immense and the fact that the information is filtered through and processed by unbiased brains before being presented makes the podcast an enlightening one. Way better than TV news in its present form.

Having said that, I have two suggestions which I think will strengthen our bond.

First, please think about making the Hafta a twice-in-a-week show. I am sure you will have enough material to talk about even if you all sit two times a week. Kindly stress more on international affairs. This can be easily achieved if the show airs twice in a single week.

Second, please think about recording the articles in the NL website and uploading the audio in either a separate podcast channel or the existing NL podcast. This will not only increase the number of listeners but also make NL more relevant and popular among us listeners. At present there are no good quality podcasters in India doing that. I have suggested NL hafta to many of my colleagues and have also urged them to read NL for unbiased news and most of them have like it a lot. I listen to podcasts while driving to work and back and it will be really a boon for commuters like me to listen to some quality articles while driving in the otherwise meaningless and congested Delhi traffic.

I connect well with Abhinandan’s thought process as we share the common “tuchcha” DU mentality. His openness and carefree way to present and anchor the show is ideal. I also like to listen to Anand’s comments. I like the way you guys focus on discussing an issue without trying to impose one’s point of view. News is nothing but storytelling (true stories) and the interpretation of the same should be left to the newsreaders. Like a noble without conclusion. So trying to impose one’s point of view and not being ready to accept another opinion’s presence is intolerance.

Keep keeping us informed!.

Your sincerely
Gangeyyo Bhattacharjee

Hi guys,

As a subscriber I am enjoying the new podcasts and documentaries. Makes me feel proud that the small contribution that I am making is helping bring about a change in the way media is reporting on different issues.

To the Hafta this week. I must say that the Anand’s view of calling a terrorist a terrorist and not a militant or any other fancy word is a little shocking. Allow me to explain. I come from an Army background and echo what Abhinandan said about the Army’s role. They only kill. If a soldier gets an order to fire, he will fire. He doesn’t care about a terrorist or a militant.

It’s the politician who calls a person a militant or terrorist. Like the saying goes “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.” If one isn’t ready to arrive at a conclusion seeing the circumstances in which terrorism has spread in a particular state, then the opinion can be called as not so well informed. I agree with the nuanced position that Madhu made. But the Anand’s tweets and his opinion on this issue really is scary. A journalist or a constituent of a media organisation should allow facts to fill the vacuum of ignorance. That’s the first thing I was taught in journalism school.

I would like to end with a reference to the American Civil War. Abraham Lincoln didn’t want to give in to the whims of the south and he went in for the kill. This led to the death of almost 6,50,000 people. 4 years of ruthless fighting finished off the rebellion. This is where the KPS Gill example lies. The Americans got the south back but at the cost of over half-a-million Americans being killed. As there was no media around then, it was easier to sell this to the people. Slavery was abolished but the problem of racism in America still survives. This is what we need to learn. The blood lust of winning a war will only postpone a problem to a future date.

We may sit around wondering what to call a person who calls himself a freedom fighter and debate on semantics, but there are people being killed in our name. Yes our name. The Indian army fights in our name.

Vivek Ananth

Hi Newslaundry team,

I had a couple of pieces of feedback regarding your latest podcast episode.

  1. Abhinandan brought up an interesting point about the dropping of the atomic bomb. In regards this I had a podcast recommendation that I feel does amazing justice to this moral quandary. This podcast episode is by Dan Carlin, of Hardcore History fame. I have attached the link where you can listen for free (https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4Fi1nRazhE4cTVLRHJ3aUJ0X1E).

Unfortunately due to some Google related issue, you will have to download the file and listen to it. Should you find value in this episode I would encourage you to buy it from Dan Carlin’s site. Would be curious to hear Abhinandan and Anand’s thoughts on this, if they find time to listen to it. Cannot recommend it enough.

  1. This feedback is more of a Newslaundry business model feedback. I subscribed for this particular month, more as a payment for all these amazing podcast episodes you all have been doing. I do not plan to renew my subscription though, because while I agree that your business model is the right one for an organisation that has your kind of mission, I feel that the way you have implemented it is at times a bit lacking.

For instance you do not have a renewing subscription service. One has to be aware that one’s subscription is ending and actually renew it every month. While this may sound a simple and something only lazy people wouldn’t do, there is a reason most successful subscription services have an auto-renewal feature.

My biggest complaint as such with your model is that it is based on pure altruism. While this model works in America with stations such as NPR, WNYC etc, there is in America a long tradition of funding public radio. I am not sure a similar tradition exists in India. Perhaps you can change hearts and minds, but that is often a process that can take decades to achieve.

As an organisation you produce many amazing pieces of content such as your YouTube videos, your podcasts etc. I am not suggesting pay-walling this content for subscribers only (though purely from a capitalist point of view, that approach is your best shot). But ultimately you must find a way to create greater value for the people giving you money on a monthly basis. Timed delays of podcasts (one day earlier for subscribers), exclusive video/audio for subscribers etc are some of the ways I suggest.

I do recognise that giving advice from the outside when I have no idea of the internal affairs might not be the best idea, but hopefully I was able to add some value to discussions you no doubt must already be having internally. All criticism aside I do hope you succeed in your mission. I do plan to subscribe Abhinandan, every few months or so as a thank you for the interesting podcasts you keep putting out.

Cheers
Karan Bhasin

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