“Parallel” journalism is here to stay”
I entered, I stayed in this industry with an intention to keep neutral journalism alive, and sustained for 6 successful years fighting all odd and even. It’s been pain and fulfillment but finally we ended one more years towards this journey. Many members joined me as a part of an organization, many left for the better future and many stuck with us to make this publication better among all for future. Each day was like walking on a thin rope, all was unpredictable.
Since our entry into the market, we have always been experimenting with things to set new trends in media and keep parallel journalism alive. Holding a publication house or newspaper is no more a prerogative of an Industrialist. What matters is that you need to have courage and capabilities and a strong pen in hand. There is no alternative to hard work and sincere efforts. For me, it has been quite an eventful journey and a fantastic learning process. On this occasion, I would first like to express my sincere gratitude to all my readers and the people who actually shaped me as a journalist and helped me grow. Also to all my subordinates who let me explore and lend freedom to reach new avenues. My team includes a small group of young and inexperienced staff members with some already mentored while some yet to explore. My office helper to chief desk all played their role in making Afternoon an accomplishment.
Having limited resources, helpless status of not affording to pay very good package to the staffs, yet I remain prompt when payments are concerned. I don’t have any support from anyone; this is the organization which is not supported by any business group or political group. We, all directors work in different fields. One of my directors is successful film producer; others are doing well in their own field and collectively we all have invested funds to come up with parallel media. NBC has various publications and one publication is taking care of the other. We are blessed with good classified space and even frequent advertisements. So far, this newspaper never fell under the trap of public repletion or paid publicity to earn extra perks. We blatantly refused such advertisements. Yes, we promoted consumer products, commercial events or public sector promotions but till today never got distracted by political banners or personal banners of politicians.
Many surprised and wondered when they know we are still surviving and are able to manage so many publications, standards and uninterrupted show. The secret is proper strategy and dedication to complete tasks within limited resources. I am proud to know the fact that, ours is the only parallel media house existing so far. The main purpose of starting this media house is to say no to intellectual slavery. Our sole intention is to fight the odds and evil in the fourth estate and maintain the integrity. We may not be hundred per cent successful because we are still young but the fact is that we at least have started.
Journalists abide accountability before the society in general, before the law and the professional connotation. The social responsibility of the journalist is that he acts in accordance with his personal ethical standards. Journalists’ main goal is to guarantee the rights of citizen and provide right and important information to his readers, which allows them to form adequate impression about social processes, their essence and importance, about the situation in their day to day world. We the Team NBC is trying our level best to stand up to your expectations. We are also fortunate that we have good readers, who trust us and believe in our integrity.
We avoid making mistakes, if at all, then we immediately rectify it. Corrections of significant mistakes should be published without delay in a visible place. We are not robots. Expression of emotions is expected. To conceal disappointment, anger, or compassion at human suffering would be dishonest. Yet emotions in journalism can be over-used and manipulated. We need freedom to breathe, to do justice to this profession. Unwanted and unexpected moral policing and taunting may discourage us from doing well.
For me, this journey was not easy. To fulfill my dream of starting my own newspaper, I mortgaged my father’s house which was transferred to me after his death; gradually I had to sell it. Everything is fresh in my memory though six years for the constant struggle is passing by. From the time, I started this endeavor to cope up with the trends, the challenges against the ethics, I received threatening phone calls from the impotent, spamming on social networks and the ever famous blogs against me to defame me. There were millions of incidents and I don’t want to recall them at all, which have tried to delude us in our way. We have overcome the hurdles and reached so far, the next level is still to arrive.
All this was possible just because of your support and faith in us….
Thanks once again
