Three Years of Generating Empathy With a Focus on Well-Being of Ordinary Citizens

Newsreel Asia Insight #210
May 3, 2024

On this World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2024, Newsreel Asia celebrates its third anniversary. Established by a group of journalists determined to enhance editorial content through new technologies, Newsreel Asia has grown into a platform that puts the well-being of ordinary citizens at the forefront of public discourse.

The mission of Newsreel Asia is to create a world where all individuals are treated as equals with inalienable rights, by transforming traditional news into stories that overcome barriers such as class, caste, religion, region and gender and generates empathy.

Newsreel Asia’s small yet robust editorial team includes three editors overseeing video, podcast and text – Harshita Rathore, Anupama Chandrasekaran and Vishal Arora, respectively. They are supported by six award-winning journalist-producers – Surabhi Singh, Mariya Rajan, Ganesh Rajaraman, Jyoti Jangra and Tej Bahadur Singh – as well as the HR Advisor, Sunil Sharma, and the Social Media Manager, Monis Khan.

Newsreel Asia’s three-year journey thus far has been characterised by experimenting with forms of storytelling that fit within a newsroom’s typical budget and timeframes. The organisation imparts these insights to other journalists through its learning branch, Newsreel Academy, led by Surabhi Singh.

The Newsreel Asia team has been focusing on the ongoing “Mapping India” mega-docuseries and “Radio Local” podcast series.

“Mapping India” examines governance, democracy, economy and societal issues in every Indian state and Union territory – each region receives balanced coverage, with a particular focus on underreported areas. “Radio Local” is a multi-lingual podcast series in collaboration with India’s community radio stations that serve ethnic minorities, farmers and indigenous and coastal communities.

The “The Dinner Table” docuseries, another flagship project, has been critically acclaimed for its intimate portrayal of persecuted communities, humanising complex social issues.

Newsreel Asia’s daily Insights section cuts through the noise and handpicks one story that truly matters to our audience, to equip them with the knowledge, understanding and wisdom to think critically and form their own opinions.

Facing the universal challenge of funding quality journalism, Newsreel Asia’s business model avoids  traditional revenue streams such as paywalls. Instead, it has generated revenue by providing consultancy to civil society organisations, teaching storytelling and video production, and its production house Spindlebox Films. It is preparing to launch a club membership campaign aimed at serving a dedicated community of like-minded citizens.

Newsreel Asia seeks to touch the hearts and minds of its audience, generating empathy and understanding across diverse communities. Adhering to strict ethical standards, it ensures that its stories are free from external influences, focusing solely on the wellbeing of the public.

Looking ahead, Newsreel Asia is expanding its positive impact by introducing series focused on solutions journalism and positive storytelling, such as its “Stories of Resilience” series. The initiative is designed to complement its existing coverage, highlighting stories of resilience and change that inspire optimism and active citizenship.

As Newsreel Asia marks its third year, it not only celebrates its past achievements but also looks forward to new opportunities to deepen its societal impact. With a committed team and a clear mission, Newsreel Asia reflects the power of media to create a more empathetic and informed society.