19 November 2018 was the first day of starting a digital news portal named The Straight Line and this anniversary commemorates that glorious day (this is what our founders, Syed Junaid Hashmi and Pallavi Sareen had to say about this two-year journey).
We took our first publishing step on Facebook and we’ve been ‘social’ ever since. But sustaining a Digital News portal for two years (one year of which lacked 4G internet) is a herculean task. Yet, we’ve survived!
Our first love has been videos (we launched with one!) and that’s why we’ve been at them. We have been putting out news videos day after day, since the very first day. We were also up to no good when we decided to pursue our other love – satire, that too in multiple languages!
The Straight Line was envisioned by two journalists in a small room, hoping to transform Digital journalism in Jammu and Kashmir. We started knowing that we run a Facebook Page, a youtube Channel and our presence is mainly on social media. We are not a TV channel and thus, never in the TRP race. Our sole aim is to produce quality content, help shape narratives, interpret news instead of simply reporting it. And thanks to your efforts, we have been successful in doing so since past two years. Despite immense difficulties (the internet restrictions made life tough for us too), we never lost hope because all of you kept pushing us forward.
From supporting Dogri news reports (Pragya Salhotra thanks you all) to recognising our efforts in promotion of all other languages (Gojjri, Pahari, Kashmiri, Punjabi), we appreciate all the love you’ve given to Team Straight Line.
Today, as we celebrate two years of our journey, we can’t forget all the people who helped us at the forefront or even from behind-the-camera.
To all the people who contributed, in whatever manner, in Straight Line, we thank you.
To all the people who wish to contribute, we welcome you.
To the loyal supporters, you are our family and we would be no one without you.
To all our critics, we appreciate your candour.
Thank you for allowing us to make our space in the Digital media world as well as your hearts.
