Merinews

Merinews is an English language online portal in India built on the concept of citizen journalism.[1] The website is owned by Bizsol Advisors Pvt. Ltd. and allows anyone to share news, opinion, analysis, reviews, photos and events.[2] Merinews also has city based local print editions in metropolitan areas in India.[3]

Launched in 2006,[4] Merinews was started by Vipul Kant Upadhyay, who had at the time no journalism background.[5] Its slogan is "Power to the People". In 2011 Merinews was India's largest citizen journalism portal,[6] and in 2013 the merinews website had 45,000 registered users.

Business Model

Merinews publications consist of user generated content, where citizens play the role of journalists and share news, opinion, analysis, event details etc. The content isn't published directly as in a blog or social media platform, but is instead screened by the inhouse editorial team[2] Revenue is generated primarily through advertisement served with the content. As of 2013, merinews has also started publishing online local editions,[7] complemented by city specific local print tabloids.[8]

Recognition

Merinews received the Manthan Award for Best e-content in 2006 in the e-news category.[9]

In 2007, merinews was the first Indian website to make the list of ‘Official Honoree’ at the Webby Awards.[4][10]

In 2013 its Alexa rank was 45,333.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Citizen Journalism and Human Rights in North East India. "", WACC Global Report
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Thriving Citizen Journalism in India "", Mid Day, 4 September 2011
  3. ↑ Merinews launches city based monthly tabloid" ", India Digital Review
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Maya Ranganathan; Usha M Rodrigues (8 July 2010). Indian Media in a Globalised World. SAGE Publications. pp. 112–. ISBN 978-81-321-0599-2.
  5. ↑ Merinews CEO speaks at AMIC Conference "", Snurb
  6. ↑ Judith Clarke; Michael Bromley (18 August 2011). International News in the Digital Age: East-West Perceptions of A New World Order. Routledge. pp. 157–. ISBN 978-1-136-64228-9.
  7. ↑ Merinews launches city specific sections" ", India Digital Review
  8. ↑ Merinews launches city based monthly tabloid" ", India Digital Review
  9. ↑ Merinews wins Manthan Awards in 2006 "" Digital Inclusion for Development
  10. ↑ Webby Honorees for 2007 in News Category "" Webby Awards
  11. ↑ Alexa Rank for merinews ""

External links