For those who’ve been tracking MxMIndia over the years and have been reading my note every anniversary day, an apology: yes, I’m aware I am getting repetitive. It’s just that in the times we live in, it’s important that we keep reiterating our core values. Also, there’s a new set of readers who come in every year.
The Indian news media has never had it so bad. It’s not just about content and it’s not whether there’s enough money in the business. It’s about whether there is a place for ethical journalism. One can of course argue endlessly on the definition of ethics. And what may be unethical for me, may be absolutely fine for some others. For us at MxMIndia, while the desire is to make monies, it’s done without compromising on our value system.
A few days back, I was speaking with a former colleague over a possible project he could be doing for MxM. He found it difficult to believe that I was so insistent on not carrying paid content or doing a quid pro quo. Everyone does that, he said. While lauding MxMIndia’s principles, a biggie from the biz was more candid: Others are thriving and are being patronised despite compromising on values. But all of this is not going to change the way we are, or we want to be.
It’s not that we are a complete media news and views online publication. There are many, many areas and issues we don’t touch. But it’s not that we don’t want to… it’s just that we don’t have the wherewithal to do it. Or it doesn’t fit into our content framework.
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It’s our eighth anniversary today. We started publishing on September 9, 2011. Onam Day. We started with a resolve to be a responsible B2B publication. We started with offering content which is beyond announcements. We started with a desire to offer analyses that was more than just stitching together quotes from half a dozen people. But most importantly, we started out with the promise that we will bring you the most credible voices in the business to analyse issues. And we will not shy away from discussing content – in news, advertising and the electronic media. We were also happy to take a stand on industry issues – whenever required.
In the next year, we hope to accomplish some of the things that we haven’t been able to. We are also looking at bringing back a few of our popular departments – like the Jaldi 5 quick chats, the ‘Anchor’ with its listicles and a few new columns. There are also a few new initiatives we are looking at starting. But more on them when we are ready.
Thank you for patronising us, and thanks much to all those who’ve been part of this journey. Please continue to keep the faith.
Pradyuman Maheshwari
Founder, Editor-in-Chief and CEO
MxMIndia