Apurv Shukla
As Indian Newslink celebrates 16 years of its publication, it is a proud moment for all of us involved with the newspaper.
What started in 1999 as an endeavour to be a newspaper has become a platform to highlight various issues concerning people of Indian origin in New Zealand.
Indian Newslink also sought to break and cover stories of interest to a then fledgling Indian community in New Zealand, which has since grown substantially.
Over these years, we have also been organising annual events such as the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards, Indian Newslink Sir Anand Satyanand Lecture and Indian Newslink Indian Sports Awards.
The common goal of all these events is to encourage and acknowledge people of Indian origin excelling in their educational, professional, community and entertainment pursuits, and also provide opportunities for engaging and thought provoking discussions on important issues of the times.
Changing times
The world around us has changed diametrically in the 16 years of Indian Newslink.
We now live in a technology-driven, fast-paced society.
This has also changed the way people access news. What was once only the domain of radio, television and newspapers is now dominated by fierce competition in the form of the Internet. You can now access news of interest at the click of a button on your computer or smart phone.
Biggest Challenge
This is the biggest challenge for Indian Newslink.
It needs to sustain the desire in its readers to pick up a copy from select Indian outlets throughout the country twice a month. This can be achieved by maintaining a high standard of editorial content which is packaged appealingly.
Issues that resonate with a wide majority and articles that are engrossing to read will drive readers to the newspaper. Featuring more stories on subjects of interest to the youth like careers, technology, sports and entertainment will also help to expand its reader base.
As the paper is published twice a month, the challenge is also to provide an insight into stories that might have broken in the intervening time period between editions.
There should be more integration of stories in the printed and online versions of the paper. In today’s time, greater interaction with the readers via social media is also a must.
Presence and association with local events is essential for increasing the paper’s profile and reach. Exclusives with popular celebrities visiting New Zealand can also be a winner.
Great advantage
The advantage is that people of Indian origin are generally conditioned to read the printed version of newspapers from a young age. This habit is inculcated in children as well. Therefore, an appealing, engaging product will find patrons.
Editorial integrity
Advertisements are necessary for a newspaper’s survival. However, advertisements should never supersede the editorial content in a newspaper. If people want to read about goods and services, they will pick up an advertising brochure, not a newspaper.
This is a path which Indian Newslink should not tread.
We cannot be preachy or biased.
Focus should be on covering stories from all angles.
Exciting future
The future is both exciting and challenging for the newspaper.
Content is king and attractive presentation a must.
So long as this mantra is followed, Indian Newslink will continue to be a part of our fortnightly read.
Apurv Shukla has been our correspondent for the past five years. He is adept in writing stories on almost all subjects including politics, education, business, community, entertainment and sports.
