The Rising Star

The Summer News led by Arshdeep Samar and Payal Mohindra is achieving greater heights. The media organisation, a much-needed digital platform in Punjab, is gaining popularity day by day. Within just nine months, the news organization with strong ethics has done news stories that show the ground reality. Directors of The Summer News, Arshdeep Samar and Payal Mohindra, with their vast experience in journalism, are leading the organisation from the front. As a result, the channel has proliferated in trustworthiness, coverage, and audience base. As per the latest figures, the channel found 2.65 crore views in just the last 28 days! Moreover, it has attained 10,000 followers on YouTube, 5000 followers on Instagram, and more than 1 Million followers on Facebook!

 

 

 

Arshdeep Samar

Why did you think there was a need to come up with a digital platform in Punjab?

I have been a journalist for the last two decades. I always felt there was a need to have a digital platform in Punjab. So I thought of forming a media organisation to do news stories that generate debate in the state. Digital platforms are the future of journalism. I noticed that there was a need for a credible platform in journalism that was professional and authentic. We built our positive image among people in a short period with our trustworthy work in media.

What is the focus of the organisation?

Our focus is on publishing multimedia and news articles based on authentic field reporting on different issues. Me and Payal Mohindra, an electronic media professional, the organization’s co-director since April (2021), try to highlight the commoner’s plight through the content. Our organisation does not take any political sides. We are unbiased and uphold the true spirit of journalism and uncover the truth.

In a short period, your organisation has made a substantial social media presence. How did you achieve popularity?

The news channel has attracted massive viewers on its news website, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. The channel started with just ten lakh followers and rapidly attained an impressive daily reach of 6.1million people. It has found a place amongst the top 3 channels in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal region. Payal Mohindra has helped the news channel garner an impressive following across multimedia, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.

Tell us something about your journalistic background and your journey. How did it start?

I belong to the business capital of Punjab, Ludhiana. I have experience both in print and electronic media. I started at the age of 22 in journalism and firmly believed that a reporter should always look out for ground-level stories. I used to do extensive leg work as a crime reporter with Amar Ujala in 2002. As a senior reporter with Dainik Jagran, Samar, I handled beats like crime and politics for 11 years. I used to do investigative journalism and political analysis. After print, I joined electronic media. I was associated with the leading news channel NDTV in 2007. With a vast journalistic experience and deep knowledge about the issues in Punjab, I joined as director of The Summer News. I always believe journalism means to uncover the truth and factually address critical matters. I was conferred with a State Award by the Punjab Government for contribution to media and social work. I was also honored by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for my contribution to the media.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payal Mohindra

What is your vision for the organisation?

I firmly believe that one should stand for what one believes in. So we have come up with an organisation that believes in trustworthy journalism. The central vision is to change the system and highlight the untouched issues, even though they are just in front of each of us. We strive to bring reality to the fore so that those in power and position should be moved or motivated to change positively.

How did you enter the media arena?

I am an electronic media professional with over one decade of experience in diverse roles in the media industry. I was a news presenter, TV Anchor, Radio Jockey, corporate Emcee, and content writer. I am also an internationally certified Trainer, Neuro LP Master Practitioner, and life coach. After trying different things, I found my true calling in journalism with The Sumer News. I have 15 years of experience and focus on the comprehensive growth of the venture. I lay a lot of focus on the social media popularity of our platform.

What is the ideology behind the organization?

The central ideology is upholding the true spirit of journalism, and we continue to strive towards uncovering the truth. We believe in progressive reporting and focus on issues that genuinely matter to the people. Our organisation feels the responsibility towards society. We keep coming up with innovative solutions to increase the channel’s popularity, primarily involving the use of Social media and YouTube. We maintain unyielding integrity and prioritise national interest above all.

Values

•Upholding the true spirit of journalism.

•Striving towards uncovering the truth.

•Unbiased and progressive reporting.

•Focus on local issues that genuinely matter to the people.

•Responsibility and ownership towards the work.

•Innovative solutions to increase the channels following, primarily involving the use of Social media and YouTube.

•Maintaining unyielding integrity.

•Prioritising national interest.