Click on the above image to view the newspaper
Project by:
Aditi Kadam | Anusha Orea | Ayushi Sarda | Dhaarna Gupta | Esther Haokip | Greeshma K Girish | Hasini J | Rudraksh Pratap Singh | Yuvraj Kataria
Overview
"The Insider Tribune," the student newspaper of IIM Rohtak, was a dynamic project that brought the campus alive with news, insights, and opinions. It wasn’t just a publication but a collaborative effort where creativity, discipline, and teamwork intersected. My role in this project gave me firsthand experience in managing every aspect of newspaper creation—from ideation and content creation to design and distribution. This experience allowed me to explore the multi-faceted world of media and journalism, providing practical exposure that academic theories alone could never deliver.
The process began with brainstorming story ideas that resonated with our audience, followed by rigorous reporting and writing. Once the content was ready, it transitioned into the design phase, where we worked on making the publication visually appealing and user-friendly. Finally, the project culminated in the excitement of releasing a completed newspaper—a reflection of our hard work and creativity.
What I Learned
1. Journalism Fundamentals
One of the cornerstones of this experience was understanding and applying core journalistic principles:
News Lede Writing: I learned to craft compelling opening sentences to hook the reader and establish the essence of a story. Writing a lede that balances intrigue and clarity was both challenging and rewarding.
Inverted Pyramid Writing Style: The training emphasized structuring articles so that the most important information comes first, followed by details and background. This style not only improved readability but also taught me the importance of prioritizing information.
2. Newspaper Design and Layout
Designing "The Insider Tribune" taught me the value of aesthetics and clarity in presenting information. Key skills included:
Typography and Font Selection: Choosing the right fonts to ensure readability while maintaining a professional tone.
Page Layouts: Arranging articles, images, and advertisements cohesively to enhance the visual appeal of the newspaper.
Headline Design: Crafting headlines that grabbed attention without compromising the integrity of the content.
These skills enhanced my appreciation for visual storytelling, making me realize that how a story looks is as important as what it says.
3. Fact-Checking and Ethical Reporting
In an age of rampant misinformation, ensuring factual accuracy became a priority. This project ingrained the discipline of verifying every fact and cross-referencing reliable sources. Additionally, I became more conscious of the ethical responsibilities of journalists, such as avoiding bias, ensuring balanced reporting, and respecting privacy.
4. Communication and Team Leadership
Working on "The Insider Tribune" was a team effort that tested my leadership and collaboration abilities:
Leadership Skills: Assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and ensuring everyone was motivated required strategic thinking and empathy.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Brainstorming with a diverse group of individuals highlighted the importance of effective communication, mutual respect, and the power of collective creativity.
5. Time Management and Resilience
The tight deadlines of the publication cycle were a lesson in time management. Balancing quality with speed, handling last-minute edits, and troubleshooting unexpected challenges strengthened my ability to work under pressure.
Conclusion
Working on "The Insider Tribune" was an enriching experience that bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. It taught me the essence of storytelling, the intricacies of design, and the responsibility that comes with being a communicator. Beyond the technical and creative skills, the project instilled in me qualities like resilience, adaptability, and leadership.
Looking back, I realize this experience wasn’t just about creating a newspaper—it was about creating a version of myself that is more skilled, confident, and prepared for future challenges. Whether I pursue a career in media, journalism, or beyond, the skills and lessons from "The Insider Tribune" will remain invaluable.
