Sanghamitra
Regarding the Subramanian Swamy interview, why not just put a disclaimer: “Not verified; speaker's opinion aired without censorship, etc."?
Shailaja
Since you asked, here's my two cents.
You were right to bleep Dr Swamy's gossip. If I want to hear tabloid news, I watch any of the rags available online. (btw Dr Swamy has already given an interview to someone else with some salacious details; it popped up on my YT feed.) I choose to subscribe to Newslaundry for a reason. So, let's take the moral high ground and not spread unsubstantiated news. (If, on the other hand, you could carry out an in-depth investigation, what a marvellous story that would be!)
Rajashree
Hi Team,
The back-and-forth over the SS interview seems like NL is trying to sail on two boats at once. Either publish the full interview or issue a disclaimer and post the edited version. Personally, I feel it should not be censored for two reasons.
First, this is not a news article; interviewees can say what they want, and it’s the interviewer’s job to push back. Here, the pushback did not seem as fierce as in other NL interviews. Secondly, if you planned to censor it, why include the bleeped parts in the promo? If the goal is to attract new subscribers, it’s dishonest – someone subscribes wanting to see the unedited version, only to find it’s not available. That said, the work NL does is important and valuable. In the future, it would be better to involve subscriber feedback before publishing such content, rather than addressing concerns after the fact.
Harneet
First of all, words of admiration and appreciation. In this world, where I find myself scared to speak my mind in public – yes, a grown man scared of saying the wrong thing – you guys are brave. I see my voice in all of you.
Regarding Abhinandan's raised issue regarding the Swamy interview, I understand you bleeping the strange stuff, but posting a full-fledged video can attract attention and marketing. At the same time, it can bring many legal challenges, which can cause significant harm in an unfair/unjust world. Sometimes cases don't turn your way, and the repercussions in a revenge-driven world can blow away a castle. And we need NL to stay for as long as we can. I like the idea of putting it behind a paywall, with a bold ticker and a disclaimer.
Secondly, do you have some NL branding stickers? I would love to get them and proudly display them on my car and scooter.
Lastly, shoutout to Manisha, Jayshree, Atul, Anand, and Shardul!
Anjali
Regarding the Swamy interview, when I first heard you discuss the conundrum of whether it should be edited, I'll admit I was on the fence too. But the more I think about it, the more strongly I feel now that you need to release the entire interview un-edited because:
a) You edit this one, and then you can never say again that NL posts full, un-edited interviews
b) The man isn't a nobody – he's a figure well-known enough that if not this platform, he can say this on any platform he chooses
c) You admitted that his reach might enable him to be in the know of things far beyond anybody else, making this editorial decision.
Respecting the word count, but just wanted to share that I now feel pretty strongly about NL releasing the full interview as-is (with a disclaimer in the notes if required).
Srijan
Cricket is a sport.
Claiming cricket isn’t a sport suggests you are unaware of its physical and tactical intricacies. A legitimate sport rests on four pillars: physical exertion, skill, competition, and institutionalisation. Cricket rigorously satisfies all of them.
Defining athleticism strictly as continuous running is a flawed premise. Just as F1 requires reflexes and football demands endurance, cricket necessitates tremendous physical ability. It demands agility, gruelling stamina, and elite hand-eye coordination to strike or catch a rock-hard ball at 90 mph. Furthermore, fast bowling imposes significant biomechanical stress on the body.
Structurally, cricket is highly formalised, with a rigid set of rules, an official constitution, and a global governing body. Finally, its upcoming inclusion in the Olympic Games fully cements its global recognition and status as a legitimate sport.
By every logical, athletic, and institutional metric, your premise is entirely false.
Amar
Hi,
This is regarding last week's Hafta. I found it funny that Abhinandan thought of calling a panel to discuss whether cricket is a sport. Really? What next? A panel to discuss whether India is Bharat or Hindustan! I found it funnier that both Manisha and Jayashree weighed in on a supremely stupid topic where Abhinandan is holding unnecessary views. Both of you are news professionals. You should have called out his idiocy. I hope you people do not want to turn NL into a Godi Media enterprise discussing the follower count of PMs, Jay Shah, or whoever. NL has an entertainment programme in A&A, and that is sufficient.
Keep up the good work. Avoid wasting time and energy on idiocy.
Srinath
I’ve seen a couple of teasers you dropped of the Subramanian Swamy interview that Abhinandan did. My question is: why indulge this person who sits at the periphery of Indian polity and makes outrageous claims about all and sundry without providing evidence? What value is he adding to Indian politics or the quality of life of Indians beyond providing some lewd titillation? Is it just because he’s willing to call out the Modi regime on several issues? Whatever he says is undermined by his lack of credibility, given his random, inconsistent utterances.
Thanks,
Srinath Sampath
P.S. Loving your series on Indian football.
Eveleen
Dear Newslaundry team,
Thank you for continuing your work. I am offering a suggestion regarding NL's interview with Subramanian Swamy. It would be better to peruse the rules and regulations regarding platforms and intermediaries rather than the ethics of media. Given that emerging regulations are targeting content-provider platforms, NL might find itself in a regulatory bind. What kind of regulations will you invite as a platform?
Always look forward to Hafta, South Central and NL reports.
Best,
Eveleen
Prashant
Hi NL Team,
I've been a subscriber for over 8 years (across 2 accounts), and writing for the first time about whether to publish the ‘un-bleeped’ content of the interview with Dr Swamy.
You and other subscribers might not like what I have to say, but I feel compelled to say it quite bluntly: The question of journalistic ethics arises when you're being evaluated for your journalism, but we're not living in that world. These claims are personal, unverifiable, and most importantly, personal attacks against the man with the most consolidated power in the country in the last ~40 years (maybe more) – the opposition for this will not just be shrill debates on social media or the news, or a few churned subscribers; I'm afraid it will look more like a physical, lynch mob-style attack that risks putting you and your team in harm's way. We have seen enough of this happen in the country for much less. An organisation of your size and resources is unlikely to recover from a punch like that. I'm sure justice will be served at some point, but not at the point where you can stay solvent.
I have been listening to the Hafta every Saturday and reading your excellent reports for 8 years now, and would very much like for that to continue. Therefore, please don't publish the full contents of the interview, even if that means not giving space to the thoroughly researched and nuanced opinions of a towering intellectual like Dr Swamy.
Best,
Prashant
Suvarthi
Dear Team,
Please do not upload the unbleeped version of the interview in the following scenario:-
- if you can challenge it
- if you have better knowledge than Dr Swamy (as Abhinandan said, he doesn't)
- if it puts you in a legally undefendable position
If the above is not applicable, then you should put out the unedited version, which is also true for what your interviews stand for.
Elections in four states and a UT are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute are bringing you reports from the ground that are in the public interest. Click here to support us.
Newslaundry is a reader-supported, ad-free, independent news outlet based out of New Delhi. Support their journalism, here.
