I Entered the News Industry with more Questions than Answers

As I write my column for ICCG News, journalism presents itself as less of an answer and more of a question. Can we deliver the same that we aim? Are we relevant? Do we really contribute our best to the Indian numismatics?

As the Chief Editor, I never had to worry about operating the newspaper as a traditional media outlet — it isn’t one. My newspaper has only an aim, which is to be the voice of Indian numismatics, to promote the genuine and expose the fakes. Our reporters never needed to worry about writing articles for clicks.

With the internet as an unprecedented global platform, every article has the potential to do a world of good or a world of hurt. And so I care more that we held ourselves to high journalistic standards as I know how bad the negative journalism could result. In our very first issue we exposed negative journalism where we wrote about the heavy loss Indian numismatics had to bear due to the negative approach from the local newspapers.

And I arguably care very much that students read ICCG News and always make sure that few of our articles cover the richness of Indian heritage.

There always could be few topics which may not be popular among our readers, but they do perform one of the most basic tasks: they speak numismatic in some way or other.

The biggest question I look to answer is to what extent we can continue operating without free press. I am not referring to a fear of the voices from the opposition, but for our numismatic industry which often suffer due to outside forces.

I am convinced that no press was ever completely free. But I am also convinced that good and honest write ups can make an important impact. And this trust would be the most important thing that I could ever build with my readers.

SIDDHARTH N S
CHIEF EDITOR