By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net,
Four years ago, with one part-time employee and $1200 as budget, we started a daily news media in English focusing on Indian Muslims. I had no idea that we will still be here four years later and reaching new heights with every passing month. Credit for this success goes to our friends, staff, and supporters who have contributed immensely to this cause.
To our readers, I thank you for coming back to this site everyday and challenging us to do more. It has not been an easy journey and I thank all those who at one time or another worked for TwoCircles.net whether as paid employee, freelancer, or contributor, your dedication helps chart new territories in the area of community media.
Universities recognition
In last four months, I have spoken in three universities in the United States – University of Colorado, Boulder; Harvard University, and University of California, Riverside – about TwoCircles.net and what we have been able to do in the last four years. It is a recognition of the need for a new type of community-focus journalism that TwoCircles.net is engaged in.
Multimedia
With our humble beginning with just text, we have added audio, photos, slide-shows and a good collection of videos. We have a very active YouTube channel which is currently ranked number 11 as most-watched channel in Reporters-India category. [http://www.youtube.com/user/twocirclesTV]
Given the negative image associated with words such as Islam and Muslims, we have been actively taking snaps of Muslims of India and trying to break the stereotypes about Muslims. Our flickr account has close to 10,000 photos and we have found our images used by magazines, TV channels, and British and American universities for their posters, classroom materials, etc.
Social networking
Twitter is the latest buzzword but for us it is another tool to reach a wider audience. Our first tweet went out on February 7, 2008.
http://twitter.com/twocircles : to follow TCN editorials, we like to call twittetorials.
http://twitter.com/TCNLive : for latest TCN news.
http://twitter.com/kaaashif : to follow random thoughts of TCN editor.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/TwoCirclesnet/190283497570 : Facebook fan page.
Writers
We have the honor of publishing the writings of some of the best names in Indian journalism. MJ Akbar, Sadia Dehlvi, Arfa Khanum (NDTV), Ehtesham Khan (IBN7), Iqbal Ahmad (BBC), Nasiruddin Haider Khan (Dainik Hindustan), Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan (Milli Gazette), M. Burhanudin Qasmi (Eastern Crescent) and Farzana Versey. We also have the pleasure to get regular contributions from famous author Dr. Omar Khalidi, prominent scholar Dr. Yoginder Sikand, veteran journalist Soroor Ahmad. Community leaders like Syed Shahabuddin, Maulana Wali Rahmani, and MH Jawahirullah have also been published here.
TwoCircles.net has also given space to new writers and some of them now write on a regular basis.
Coverage
Most community news operation focusing on Indian Muslims are regional in nature or are vernacular. TwoCircles.net is the only daily news service that covers all of India. Our reporters, freelancers, and contributors are in many states giving us an all-India reach. We have done series covering Assam, Kerala, Jaipur, Mewat, Ladakh, Azamgarh, Ayodhya, West Bengal, etc. Many of the series can be found here: http://twocircles.net/special-reports.html
TCN leads on Batla House autopsy report, other media follow
TCN published full L. Ravichandar report (Andhra Pradesh) and excerpts of Ranganath Misra Commission Report even before these were released publicly.
Going beyond the community focus, we have also done special series on topics such as Domestic Violence, and Leprosy.
Our report card on Muslim Members of Parliament is making representatives more active within the parliament, while our critical eye on Muslim organizations is making them more responsive to community concerns.
Impact
First time in independent India, major media is taking notice of a community news organization. Many of our stories were picked up by “mainstream media.” TCN voice is being heard at the highest level of government, and politics while it continues to be an important source of information for activists and academics.
Future
It is difficult to predict what future holds for us but the tremendous support that we have received over the years goes to show that there is a need for the service that TwoCircles.net provides and we will continue to do it. Of course this is not possible without support from hundreds of friends. You too can be part of this success story. You can play your part by telling your family and friends to subscribe to our free daily news digest (http://twocircles.net/daily_news_digest.html ), commenting on our news and articles, giving us news tips (email: [email protected]), and even writing. We may not be able to respond to each email and message that we receive but all are read and considered.
Thank you!