As legacy media shrinks, many journalists pivot to independent content creation, only to face a harsh economic reality. Recent financial data reveals that a staggering 92% of digital content creators in India are financially unviable, struggling to monetize their independent news channels.

The Bharat Media Association emphasizes that relying entirely on algorithmic platform monetization is not a sustainable replacement for structured newsroom salaries. We must establish structured funding, grants, and robust subscription models to financially support the next generation of independent, digital-first investigative journalists.