A Cursory Look at Nepali Online Media

Background: After the largest media house in Nepal split, most of the top journalists moved out to form a new media house. They are coming up with two new newspaper Daineeki (Nepali) and Republica (English language) and some have other plans. They claim they hope to redefine the media in Nepal but have disappointed many with their new website. Many (me included) Background: After the largest media house in Nepal split, most of the top journalists moved out to form a new newspaper. They are coming up with two new newspaper Daineeki (Nepali) and Republica (English language) and some have other plans. They claim they hope to redefine the media in Nepal but have disappointed many with their new website. Many (me included) are very worried about the quality of journalism in Nepal and want it to improve.

This discussion sometimes takes a wayward turn but provides rich insight into the actual scene in Nepali media. Maybe people in other countries can relate to.

Their website is still in beta version and is being fine-tuned just like my discussion.

Source: Kathmandu Speaks

"BETA VERSION"
(This discussion is still being fine-tuned)

Mohammad Tajim wrote
at 12:50am yesterday

Site doesn't appeals to me.

http://blog.tajim.com.np/nepali-web/why-myrepublicacom-wasn’t-as-good-as-i-thought/

Mohammad Tajim wrote
at 10:30am yesterday

Yes there are errors in code but that can be secondary things to many people in Nepal, but my question to everyone in Republica is that why could not Republica go one stop forward and really the break the trend of web design and development in Nepal using all sorts of modern web design trends.

I know all of your visit websites of US based newspapers but did you even gave second thought to make your own website somewhat like that. You guys are missing on a lot of points.

Damakant Jayshi (Harvard) wrote
at 11:53pm yesterday

hi tajim,
thanks for comments. the code is not secondary to us. we would appreciate if you are more specific as it will really help us improve the website. also we would like to work on the points you said we have missed. it will be helpful

Mohammad Tajim wrote
at 11:57pm yesterday

Well, there are lots of things needed to be changed on the site. If i go on pointing everything one by one then you may have to completely redo whole website.

Just compare your website with any one website of US based publishing house. You will see the difference yourself. You are missing on many points.

The whole design. It does not look professional from any point.
Colors of the site seem to be made by a child playing in MS-Paint
Structure of the template is no where near to any other New publishing site.
Typography of the site is too poor.
Images are not placed in correct place.

There many more but i can write them all here.

Mohammad Tajim wrote
at 11:58pm yesterday

and you also missed Social Media which is vital today for any site publishing content.

Salik Shah wrote
at 3:28am

well, tajim, my friend, when i was in ekantipur and proposed social media and tagging and link back things, the so-called designer of the site said that would be like promoting other sites/blogger for free!!!! and the dear editor agreed! i proposed so many things — both content wise and technical things — lol i used to blabber a lot but that was it… i had to stop within a month after they said they didn’t even use google analytics then!!! “khub online uchalchhu bhanera aathyo salik hahaha” bhanera malai sadhai arko purano dai le jiskauna chhodnu bhayena… and now that you've pointed out their technical ignorance, i feel GOOD indeed at least you understand my pain!!! lol jati jogi aaye pani kanai chireko!!

part I

But come on yaar, forget it? who cares? even if they care, they CAN'T do it — they are “the bestest” in the small country and arrey why would you come out and do some soul-searching when you already know you know so little! if they hope to redefine online new media (as they claim), they have to redefine their standards first… why would you waste your time trying to learn new things? i’m worried about the work they will come out with (i mean the newspapers), and the signs aren’t anywhere near i had expected… nepal ho yaar, budha haru lai kachkach mann pardaina, chup laga (joke garya)..

part II

personally, yeah, i am working on my blog to make it one of the best in the whole blogosphere… my definition of blogging is unremittingly evolving! when people say my blog’s nice, i feel somewhat satisfied because i’ve spent many sleepless nights trying to meet the standards i have set for myself (and i’ve a long way to go before i can boast abt the technical things but forget Singh, Content is king lol), on a serious note when your hard work is recognized, you feel good.. there have been so many developments recently and i am ‘clueless’ … there are so many errors in my code and haven’t been able to launch my community portal www.kathmanduspeaks.com no time, no expertise ( and $ lol)… but there are people there who know so little but talk so much… unfortunately, that can’t do any good to the citizenry or the local media industry… i wonder if they are honest with themselves abt such things?

part III

old people with experience should use their wisdom to let young talents take over these new areas... new media or Web 2.0 is for geeks(i’m talking abt handling the technical department), please let them do it. obviously, we need ‘expert’ guidance about areas of their expertise though… i think prachanda knows this well lol

i can go on and on but i’ve a page to do now..
thank you for the link, tajim

the end

Mohammad Tajim wrote
at 12:53pm

Wow Salik! That was something man. You really said everything that was in your mind since last whole year.

Mohammad Tajim wrote
at 12:55pm

But i am also wondering why is not there anyone from Republica or commentiing on this issue.

Damakant Jayshi (Harvard) wrote
at 4:12pm

well, salik, looks like you have vented your ire of your experience of working at kantipuronline on us! indeed there are many things that we need to improve and we welcome any ideas that you. i am sure we are going to discuss those soon

Salik Shah wrote
at 1:50am tomorrow

well damakant (JI) that was my experience of working in nepal for nepalis being a nepali


Salik Shah wrote
at 2:13am tomorrow

this was abt the online media, here's my nonsense abt your paper:
http://kathmanduspeaks.blogspot.com/2008/11/journos-case-on-nepali-media.html

Ujjwal Acharya (Nepal) wrote
at 8:53pm

Well, it looks like lots of discussions are going on here. I missed it all due to my leave.

Thanks for all comments and we will certainly try to improve the sites all the times.

Guna Raj Luitel wrote
at 11:44pm

Yes, we're committed to improve if there is any weakness. And there is always room to improve. We worked ling time as a print journalist and online journalism is our new carrier as well :).

Kay-shuve Koeraalaa wrote
at 12:00am tomorrow

hey salik boy cool down.

Salik Shah wrote
at 2:28am tomorrow

BOY? who me? i'm a cool guy daii, you know that already hoina ra? thought my experience could be useful here and for my countrymen...
the problem is instead of hiring professionals, we think this guy knows a lil-bit and can pull off. this is not a good sign. the print media, especially Kantipur, was doing a great job. let’s hope Kantipur 2.0 doesn’t turn out to be a disappointment.. but dear editors of TKP, i seriously doubt your capabilities. Fire that guy who designed the website, and btw who designed the masthead? i hope you understand the weight (burden?) of expectations you carry on your shoulders from people like us…
unfortunately most people who are in responsible positions lack vision in our country from politics to publications.. we know the problems, so let’s stop talking and start WORK.. i’m always open to contribute (but i don’t want to take part in tea-talks, social interaction seems waste of time because of the examples already set by my senior colleagues)..

Salik Shah wrote
at 2:43am tomorrow

and ujjwal, "Well, it looks like lots of discussions are going on here. I missed it all due to my leave." the discussion is still on, and how come you missed it?

i hope discussions will take place in your newsroom... best of luck to you all and thank you for another kaam-chalau initiative... there's enough room for improvement, let's start working on those areas in a sincere and serious manner...

we all have finest ideas, but pioneers don't give up so easily...

Ujjwal Acharya (Nepal) wrote
at 8:41am tomorrow

Salik, I hope the discussions will go on and I will get some valuable suggestions for improvements. Web 2.0 thing is of course hot and sleek, but does that mean it's the only thing? Of course not.

MyRepublica/dainikee were not coded by amateurs, the people behind them are professional web programmers. And, they are still working to get us what we need. The beta version [or even after official launch] has/will have problems, but since you have been maintaining your own blog, u know that web is a thing that always gives opportunity to improve.

Apart from that, any comments?

Salik Shah wrote

at 8:54am tomorrow
My best wishes for your married life bro...

Mohammad Tajim wrote
at 4:42pm
Part 1

Well, Ujjwal Dai let me clarify you something. You say you are "pioneer blogger" but you do not know that Web 2.0 does not only means sleeks colors, rounded borders, huge typography and sideshow. There is more to web 2.0 than we can even think of.

Web 2.0 is not only thing that we incorporate in our blogs or site. It is a damn phase of Internet that we are in right now.

Th early versions of Web from the start to the little later of the 2000 Dot-com bubble burst was considered as web 1.0. if you have no idea about the Dot-com bubble burst then better look in Wikipedia.

Web 2.0 was an initiative started by Tim O'Reilly to enhance the user experience while using web sites.

Mohammad Tajim wrote
at 4:42pm
Part 2

From Wikipedia:
"The term "Web 2.0" describes the changing trends in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aim to enhance creativity, communications, secure information sharing, collaboration and functionality of the web. Web 2.0 concepts have led to the development and evolution of web culture communities and hosted services, such as social-networking sites, video sharing sites, wikis, blogs, and folksonomies."

You guys easily use Wikipedia but many of you don't know that Wikipedia is biggest example of Web 2.0. There is no flashy colors on Wiiki, No huge logo neither rounded borders. It still looks as a plain old websites from the ages of 1999 but this website is Web 2.0

Mohammad Tajim wrote
at 4:42pm
Part 3

Web 2.0 is a way we use Internet. Its about user-generated content- easier collaboration and better functionality. If you still think that Web 2.0 is not everything then you better stop using Wordpress, Blogger, Wikipedia, Digg,Youtube,etc etc because all of them are Web 2.0 and from your viewpoint i get that you don't think that they are that real important aspect of Web today.

Don't get me wrong but i never expected such remarks from you regarding Web 2.0 as you are a "pioneer" blogger of Nepal

Tajim

Ujjwal Acharya (Nepal) wrote
at 5:57pm
Tajim,

Thanks for your long three comments.

The first thing, I do not consider myself a technically-advanced person. Secondly, to be a blogger you do not need to be one. [THANKS TO WEB2]

And, if you consider everything on internet after 1999 is web2, then of course myrepublica/dainikee is also web2. About community thing, we have plans [and little bit of codes ready] for citizen generated content / sharing thing. And, you probably have also noticed that the importance we have given to comments [on every news] which will be published on sidebar once moderated [unlike other news site of nepal, which does not bother to give much priority].

Blogs are already there.

On better functionality, you can question.

And, I will be very grateful to you if you point out specifically what we can do to make the site better.

Tapas Thapa (Nepal) wrote
at 5:58pm

So what IS the definition of a" professional"?

Salik Shah wrote
at 2:24am tomorrow

Tajim, I was equally disappointment by his answer. After my wishes, he should have at least left a "thank you" note. But he didn't. lol So let's stop now. If they need ideas, there are a couple of sites which you have already mentioned where they can look to. But they have "professional web programmers" working for them already (and Tapas that was really an imp question), they might not even need our help. Oye timro aru kaam chhaina bhaney? Am sorry for telling you to stop, but don't you see I got a signal already lol: "Apart from that, any comments?"

Tapas Thapa (Nepal) wrote
at 2:26am tomorrow
wat signal?

Uttam Lama wrote
at 6:03am tomorrow
Hi,
Nice to see all in one after long time i [think]:
"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

Keep it Up

Uttam

Salik Shah wrote
at 6:12am tomorrow

thanks uttam that makes sense

Mohammad Tajim wrote
at 3:56pm
Well Ujjwal Dai

I have said in my blog post what points you need to focus to redesign your site. I hope you must have read it.

Avash Karmacharya wrote
at 7:38pm

Okay, some serious stuffs r going around. And I wud surely want to volunteer to put my some feedbacks as an outsider. Well...wid due respect to all opinions, when like anyone else I got to hear that republica's and dainikee's websites r being launched and when i heard so much about it from my senior dais working there, I was expecting sumthing really grand to happen. sumthing extra ordinary. Honestly speaking, I'm no that good in all the technical sides of the websites, but as a regular visitor to different websites, especially news based, my excitement turned to disappointment after the official launching of these two websites. When I logged in for the first time, I wanted to feel - Oh my God! but after logging in I went - What! This was it? Why so much hyped? What's so new? As I happen to b one the well wishers of the entire team of Republica and Dainikee....its a sincere request to listen at least a bit to Salik and Tajim.

Avash Karmacharya wrote
at 7:42pm

Internet is accessed mostly by da ppl residing in urban areas of Nepal. And I guess many do watch other international websites. The tow website launched by tapaiharu seems no different than the ones we're already tire of. All of u must be an avid visitor of iht.com and nytimes.com. They haven't tried making it look all fancy and colorful. In simple way, the website looks attractive. To be dead honest, I found nepalnews.com more a news website than the ones launched recently. My best wishes r always there. And don't get offended please.

Besides I agree to Salik that young ppl r always pushed back be it in politics or in anything else. Old knowledgen and over confidence creates chaos at the end.
Cheers to all!

Salik Shah wrote
at 1:37am tomorrow

Thank you Avash for coming out and speaking. I hope others will also express their views in the medium which they find comfortable - private or public.

Mohammad Tajim wrote
at 1:41am tomorrow

i am wondering where are big bosses of Republica. I don't see any serious comment from anyone who has any authority of over these sites. Are you guys afraid to face comments in public? or you think it would be too demeaning to reply to comments by folks like us who are just teenagers.

After saying so much too i don't see any change in the website. If there is no point in discussing this then lets close the whole chapter.

I said all this to help you guys make your website more useful. If you think a good looking website won't help you gain a name and fame in this country then i am sorry for all my comments. I think i was just wasting my time

Salik Shah wrote
at 2:01am tomorrow

Tajim, two things I would like to say but I know what you meant:
We've passed sweet adolescence now and in case they don't know, we've many years of experience with us of our respective fields. So I'm sure they are taking everything seriously. But may be they don't want to come and indulge in spat in public place. I find it myself disgusting that I had to come to this level but I'm very emotional about such things and I have already lost faith in these people who could have actually made a difference to bring about real change in the country. (Change is a slow process; now I've patience that I lacked two years ago.) I am confident that we are going to play important roles in the country and regain our lost pride worldwide. And we are not wasting our time. I believe by now everyone in the Nepali media industry should have realized what's going on and where we would be if we continue to let things go this way.

If you like it, raise your hands. If you don't, please raise your standards.


About some people who took part in the discussion:
About Tajim, visit this. Damakant Jaysi writes in his profile: "Associate Editor, Republica. Spent nine years with The Kathmandu Post. Currently, we (mostly ex-Post colleagues and those from outside) are working together to bring out Republica, English daily newspaper." Ujjwal Achrya writes on his blog about the launch of the sites. Avash is still with City Post but I am not sure.