Free Press (Magazine in Malayalam)
Encyclopedia
Free Press was a short-lived but well-attempted and widely-circulated magazine
in Malayalam language published between 2003 and 2006. Funded itself on readers' contribution, Free Press, exhibited the idealism of a group of twenty young journalists, who came together to publish an investigative, non-partisan monthly in Malayalam published from Delhi
, targeting the Malayalis in Kerala
and the Malayali diaspora in other Indian states
and abroad. It was founded by Vinod Jose
, while working as a foreign correspondent in South Asia
for the US based Pacifica Radio
. Free Press was a registered magazine with the Registrar of Newspapers in India (RNI) and sold 55,000 copies every month. Without spending any money on advertisement, Free Press gained the circulation through word-of-mouth campaign and conducting smaller events in Kerala.
Free Press investigations included: Reliance
corporation and its contribution to India's black economy, fake-encounter epidemic by Delhi Police, Intel meddling with the school curriculum in Kerala, industrialists "buying" rivers in Kerala, sex scandal of a Muslim League minister in Kerala. And the result was quick. Its office was raided. Editor was interrogated Reporters were harassed. Distribution system was destroyed. Printing presses in Delhi were forced to back off. Free Press in 2005 was forced out of newsstands.
In May 2006, Vinod K. Jose, Editor-in-Chief; V.H. Nishad, Literary Editor; Shaijith V.M., Principal Correspondent declared in a public announcement that the magazine could not sustain itself anymore and declared its closure. At 23, when he started Free Press, Vinod K. Jose became one of the youngest Editor-in-Chiefs of any current affairs registered magazine in India. Free Press was the first publication to have initiated the concept of citizen journalism
in Kerala.
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
in Malayalam language published between 2003 and 2006. Funded itself on readers' contribution, Free Press, exhibited the idealism of a group of twenty young journalists, who came together to publish an investigative, non-partisan monthly in Malayalam published from Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, targeting the Malayalis in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
and the Malayali diaspora in other Indian states
Indian States
The term Indian states can refer to:*The States and territories of India*The nominally sovereign princely states that existed under the British Raj before India became independent in 1947....
and abroad. It was founded by Vinod Jose
Vinod Jose
Vinod K. Jose, or Vinod Kizhakkeparambil Joseph, is an award winning journalist from India. He is currently the Deputy Editor of The Caravan published from New Delhi. In 2009, Jose was hired by Delhi Press to re-launch the company's 70-year old title The Caravan, which was discontinued in 1988...
, while working as a foreign correspondent in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
for the US based Pacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio is the oldest public radio network in the United States. It is a group of five independently operated, non-commercial, listener-supported radio stations that is known for its progressive/liberal political orientation. It is also a program service supplying over 100 affiliated...
. Free Press was a registered magazine with the Registrar of Newspapers in India (RNI) and sold 55,000 copies every month. Without spending any money on advertisement, Free Press gained the circulation through word-of-mouth campaign and conducting smaller events in Kerala.
Free Press investigations included: Reliance
Reliance
-Companies:* Reliance Industries, an Indian conglomerate of companies headed by Mukesh Ambani** Reliance Petroleum** Reliance Life Sciences** Reliance Solar** Reliance Logistics** Reliance Industrial Infrastructure** Reliance Institute of Life Sciences...
corporation and its contribution to India's black economy, fake-encounter epidemic by Delhi Police, Intel meddling with the school curriculum in Kerala, industrialists "buying" rivers in Kerala, sex scandal of a Muslim League minister in Kerala. And the result was quick. Its office was raided. Editor was interrogated Reporters were harassed. Distribution system was destroyed. Printing presses in Delhi were forced to back off. Free Press in 2005 was forced out of newsstands.
In May 2006, Vinod K. Jose, Editor-in-Chief; V.H. Nishad, Literary Editor; Shaijith V.M., Principal Correspondent declared in a public announcement that the magazine could not sustain itself anymore and declared its closure. At 23, when he started Free Press, Vinod K. Jose became one of the youngest Editor-in-Chiefs of any current affairs registered magazine in India. Free Press was the first publication to have initiated the concept of citizen journalism
Citizen journalism
Citizen journalism is the concept of members of the public "playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information," according to the seminal 2003 report We Media: How Audiences are Shaping the Future of News and Information...
in Kerala.
External links
- http://www.countercurrents.org/nuiman-200705.htm
- http://www.humanrightskerala.com/index.php?Itemid=19&id=1804&option=com_content&task=view