Citing resource constraints, the New York Times has dropped its special “India Ink” section providing in-depth coverage of “The World’s largest Democracy at a Crossroads” after a three year run.
The Times though painted it only as a ‘change of address” saying “that kind of specificity is no longer the way The Times wants to direct its resources” with a commentator suggesting it “was part of a bigger strategy that will end about half of The Times’ blogs.”
“We’re Moving” announced the Times June 30 in the India Ink section saying “From now on, you will find us at a new address: nytimes.com/world.”
“We will continue to produce web-only India Ink sketches, analyses, narratives and news stories, but they will appear on the World page, along with the rest of the newspaper’s coverage,” it promised.
But for now the Times is retaining its “Sinosphere” page which it patterned on India Ink.
In “The Public Editor’s comments” Margaret Sullivan recalled that “When The Times launched its India Ink blog in September 2011, it noted that this was the paper’s ‘first-ever country-specific site for news, information, culture and conversation.'”
“Now it’s gone. These days, that kind of specificity is no longer the way The Times wants to direct its resources – at least not in the form of a blog.”
“We want to continue this kind of journalism without the manufactured shell of a blog, with its constant pressure to fill it up,” Ian Fisher, an assistant managing editor was quoted as saying.
Fisher was also cited as saying that “The Times already has ended or merged about half of the 60 or so blogs that it had at the high point two years ago, and there may be about another 10 to go, although nothing is on the chopping block at this moment.”
Commenting on the article ACDittmann, Pacific Northwest, wrote “Blogs that weren’t really blogs. People actually have to work to maintain them. These and more are the sad, somewhat contrived excuses for ending the India Ink blog, according to this article.”
KC, Washington lamented: “India Ink was the ONLY space that got stories about my home country right. This is hugely disappointing.”
Another US newspaper, the New York Daily News shutdown its India/South Asia section named ‘Desi News’ late last year after a nearly two-year experiment.
But The Wall Street Journal is continuing with its India Real Time page with a lot more content.
Meanwhile, two other Internet publications, Huffington Post and Quartz, a venture of Atlantic Media, have started special India sections.
Published in The Indian Sun (Indian Australian Magazine)
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
