From Facing Whisper Campaign to Freelancing for Survival: Nieman Reports Chronicles Meena Kotwal’s Struggles and the Birth of The Mooknayak

New Delhi– Harvard University’s prestigious journalism platform, Nieman Reports, has unveiled a compelling account of Dalit journalist Meena Kotwal’s journey, from enduring caste-based discrimination at BBC Hindi to founding the transformative digital news platform, The Mooknayak. The report highlights Kotwal’s resilience, her fight for representation, and her mission to amplify the voices of India’s marginalized communities.

Facing Isolation and Bias at BBC Hindi

In 2019, Meena Kotwal made headlines by alleging caste-based discrimination at BBC Hindi, where she worked as a journalist. Kotwal, who belongs to the Dalit community, accused her former employer of fostering a hostile environment that marginalized her work and identity.

Former BBC senior editor Rajesh Joshi, who mentored Kotwal during her time at the organization, corroborated her claims in the Nieman Reports article. Joshi described a “whisper campaign” against Kotwal, where colleagues questioned her professional abilities, including her English proficiency and translation skills, ultimately isolating her in the newsroom.

“She was deliberately sidelined,” Joshi said. “Caste biases are rarely overt but manifest in subtle and insidious ways. While no one explicitly mentions caste, the intent behind the discrimination is unmistakable.”

Kotwal, who belongs to the Dalit community, revealed how disparaging comments about her journalistic abilities and whispers questioning her qualifications led to professional isolation.

Kotwal, who belongs to the Dalit community, revealed how disparaging comments about her journalistic abilities and whispers questioning her qualifications led to professional isolation.

Freelancing to Establish Identity

After parting ways with BBC Hindi, Kotwal faced significant challenges, including financial instability and professional ostracism. Turning to freelance journalism, she began reporting on issues affecting Dalits, Adivasis, and other marginalized groups. These efforts, however, were met with resistance from mainstream outlets reluctant to highlight such stories.

Despite these hurdles, Kotwal’s determination to establish her identity as a journalist committed to social justice laid the foundation for her next venture.

The Birth of The Mooknayak

In 2021, Kotwal founded The Mooknayak, a digital news platform dedicated to representing the voices of the oppressed. Inspired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s iconic publication of the same name, The Mooknayak aims to bring issues like caste-based discrimination, rural struggles, Adivasi rights, and women’s empowerment into mainstream discourse.

Kotwal’s vision was to create a platform where marginalized communities could narrate their stories in their own voices, free from the biases of traditional media.

The platform has not only exposed injustices but has also celebrated the resilience and achievements of Dalits, Adivasis, and minorities.

The Nieman Reports article praises The Mooknayak for its incisive reporting on critical issues often ignored by mainstream outlets. These include:

The platform has not only exposed injustices but has also celebrated the resilience and achievements of Dalits, Adivasis, and minorities. The contributions of team members like Ankit Pachauri and Rajan Choudhary have been instrumental in driving impactful stories that spark national and international discussions.

Kotwal’s journey, from battling systemic biases at BBC Hindi to building The Mooknayak from scratch, underscores her unwavering commitment to social justice. Despite threats and challenges, she has transformed grassroots journalism into a tool for change, holding administrations accountable and amplifying the voices of the voiceless.

The Nieman Reports article concludes with a powerful message: Meena Kotwal’s story is not just about overcoming discrimination—it’s about redefining journalism to be more inclusive, equitable, and just. Her journey, and the success of The Mooknayak, serve as an inspiration for marginalized journalists everywhere.

Courtesy: The Mooknayak

Note: This news is originally published on themooknayak.com and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially for human rights.