Loyalty is earned through presence, not just publication

In an article published by Nieman Lab (under Predictions for 2026), Ms. Ethar El-Katatney, Editor-in-Chief of Documented, writes:

In 2026, more newsrooms will come to understand that loyalty is earned through presence, not just publication. Through answering questions. Through showing up consistently. Through being useful in moments when people actually need you. Audiences that have been ignored or underserved don't need to be convinced that journalism matters; they need to see that it's for them. And news organizations that prioritize hard-to-reach audiences will be rewarded with something the industry desperately needs: durable relationships.

While she writes this in the context of immigrants in America, the insight applies just as well to niche and regional publications in India.

I see so many digital newsrooms and their amazing journalists focusing on a narrow segment, working hard to be relevant to their discerning audience, even if they number only in the 1000s.

But survival is a constant challenge. Eyeballs bring in negligible revenue, and readers are still very reluctant to pay. How long can these invaluable publications go on, on donations from a few?

So here's my question to you: Will you pay for their survival today, so they are still there for you tomorrow?

At Tikker News, we are committed to helping rebuild the publisher-subscriber bond.