/ground-report/media/post_banners/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Source-Canva-10-1.webp)
Google, a global tech giant, recently announced the second edition of its GNI Startup Lab program. This initiative aims to support high-quality journalism for local communities, niche audiences, and previously underserved communities across India. Among the ten media organizations selected for this edition is Ground Report.
Google has always valued authoritative, fact-checked news. Over the years, it has worked closely with the news industry to help them adapt to digital transformation, keep up with changing consumer preferences, and fight misinformation.
The GNI Startups Lab designed a 12-week program to help the next generation of independent, early-stage Indian news startups achieve financial and operational sustainability. Anymind Group and T-Hub run the program in partnership.
"Chosen out of over 110 applicants from across India, the ten news startups cover a diverse array of categories of journalism, including investigative, political, medical, youth, climate, and local news that provides a voice to underrepresented communities," Durga Raghunath, Head of India News Partnerships, said in a blogpost.
The GNI Startups Lab India supports high-quality reporting for local communities, niche audiences, and previously underserved communities across India. Out of over 110 applicants from across India, ten news startups were chosen. These startups cover a diverse range of journalism categories, including investigative, political, medical, youth, climate, and local news.
"The diverse cohort features newsrooms from around the country, producing news in multiple Indian languages, including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, and Telugu," she added.
Moreover, the tech giant stated that they have partnered with subject matter experts to support the news industry in tackling the scourge of misinformation. This partnership aims to empower journalists and newsrooms with the necessary digital tools and skills to find, verify, and tell engaging stories while addressing the ever-evolving risk of misinformation.
Ground Report: Spotlight on Climate Change
Ground Report, a digital news platform registered under the name of Ground Report Digital LLP, is one of the selected startups.Ground Report focuses on bringing underreported environmental, health, and gender-specific stories from the margins of India, primarily Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, and Uttar Pradesh.
The organization believes that climate change should be the basis of current disclosure, and its stories attempt to reflect this. In addition, their ground reporters focus on various thematic areas and intersectional issues of agriculture, labour, employment, poverty, etc. of the most vulnerable communities in India.
Ground Report is a passionate and earnest attempt by a group of young journalists to bring back the glory of ground report journalism. They accept varied political opinions and promote citizen journalism.
The selection of the Ground Report for the GNI Startups Lab program is a significant achievement. It will provide them with the necessary support and resources to continue their valuable work in bringing underreported stories to the forefront. This will ultimately contribute to a more informed and engaged public.
Keep Reading
- Rivers in Himachal Pradesh face crisis: NGT steps in
- After disastrous floods Himachal is set to become green and clean state
- Himachal Pradesh hit by record floods and rain events in monsoon 2023
- Estimate of destruction in Himachal Pradesh due to July-Aug rains
Follow Ground Report for Climate Change and Under-Reported issues in India. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Koo App, Instagram, Whatsapp and YouTube. Write us on [email protected].
