Good journalism is when a reader/viewer can comfortably suspend disbelief while reading/viewing a story. Today, in India, we know that when we read or watch anything, we do it keeping a sub-text in mind. What is the agenda? Who planted this story? Who PAID for this story? Have marketing and advertisers pushed this story? Is it even true at all or is this being pushed by some company with a product? Is it a coincidence that a full-page journalistic story about the dangers of bacteria and germs is followed by an advertisement of an anti-bacterial soap?

Newslaundry wants to be independent of all marketing and political pressures. Newslaundry as an organisation will not align itself with any political party. We have been and will continue to be transparent of any personal or/and political leanings. To maintain our independence and avoid ads, we would like our visitors to collaborate with us in fighting for independent media. We would like you to be partners with us on this journey. If enough of you believe in free journalism to support us, we will not have to go to advertisers. We would like you to participate with us in our online news meetings. Help us decide which stories are worth investing in and which aren’t. We would like you to become collaborators rather than mere visitors.

We are attempting to create a completely new model for news. New in its news-gathering model, new in its revenue model and new in what many of you have viewed as an editorial positions’ model. The online space is a fresh, new, young and democratic area. The possibilities here are enormous in making governance and reporting on governance accountable. We can make this place way more constructive and change-inducing than mere abuse and trolling can do. We want you to be involved in that process. We will be rolling out all sorts of new methods, practices and approaches to make news as independent, free and accountable as possible.

Enough of you have called journalists “presstitutes” and other derogatory names, sometimes justifiably. This is your chance to do something about it. We can only do this with your help. Let’s make journalism the public service it is meant to be. You will enjoy this ride. Get involved. Remember, Never Do Nothing!