Raju Narisetti, the editor who came to India from the US to nurture business newspaper Mint, has gone back and joined The Washington Post. Forbes India wonders why and decides to ask Narisetti
Name: Raju Narisetti
Title: Managing Editor, The Washington Post
Age: 43
Career: With The Washington Post since January 2009. Founding editor of Mint (2007-09). Was with the Wall Street Journal from 1994-2006
Interests: Inch deep and a mile wide in almost everything
A little over a year after Mint started publishing, you said in an interview about Indian newspapers’ building credibility: "I'm sorry to say that, but the general consensus in India seems to be that readers don't care, so it doesn't matter." How did the HT Media group and the industry receive steps taken by Mint to build credibility?
If I were to do it all over again I would do a few things differently for sure. But I would absolutely do it for HT Media. Most other media houses or owners don't have the courage of their convictions--or true convictions--to allow a Mint to be what it was. There was not a single instance when Mint couldn't run a story it wanted to, or seek anyone's permission despite significant attempts throughout the two years by many companies and politicians to try and prevent some stories, using influence, friendships, threats or legal notices. Or advertising that was pulled including from HT. That we were willing to admit and correct honest mistakes and went out of our way to try and be fair, especially in giving a voice to all sides of the story, helped build internal credibility, giving management the right reasons to avoid interfering with Mint's journalism. Indian industry remains too thin skinned and its owners too full of themselves to realize there is a place for critical business journalism that isn't negative or has no agenda. And that most media houses play along doesn't make the job of honest journalism any easier.
(This story appears in the 03 July, 2009 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)