The Chenab Times is an independent, multilingual, multimedia news organization based in India, rooted in grassroots reporting and driven by the mission to amplify unheard voices. Founded in July 2017 by Anzer Ayoob in the remote Chenab Valley region of Jammu and Kashmir, the platform emerged in response to a glaring lack of representation, underreporting, and cultural erasure in mainstream media.
Originally started as a solo initiative to bring attention to the issues ignored by national outlets—such as lack of infrastructure, linguistic endangerment, and developmental neglect—The Chenab Times has grown into a community-powered alternative media outlet that now reports on local, national, and international affairs with a strong commitment to ethical journalism and cultural preservation.
Our Mission
We are committed to:
- Highlighting grassroots issues—from road connectivity and education to environmental concerns and basic amenities.
- Preserving regional languages through our groundbreaking Multilingual News Initiative which publishes stories in endangered languages like Bhaderwahi, Sarazi, Gojri, and Kashmiri.
- Delivering factual, people-centric journalism while fostering civic engagement and accountability.
We believe in journalism as a tool for social justice, truth-telling, and advocacy, without compromising journalistic ethics.
A National Vision
While our origins are in the Chenab Valley, The Chenab Times is now expanding its scope across India. We cover stories of national and international significance, and are in the process of establishing regional bureaus across Indian states, aiming to evolve into a national-level news platform that continues to prioritize hyperlocal voices and marginalized communities.
What We Do
- Publish original articles, opinion pieces, and ground reports on thechenabtimes.com and its multilingual subdomains.
- Produce video reports, mini-documentaries, and live coverage via platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
- Engage with the community through crowd-sourced leads, grassroots sponsorships, and hyperlocal reporting models.
- Encourage contributions from freelance writers, academics, and citizen journalists across India.
- Maintain high editorial standards with each story reviewed by 2–4 editors before publication.
Our Structure
The Chenab Times operates with:
- A core editorial team led by two editors and an executive editor
- A network of over 60+ voluntary contributors, including reporters, writers, and academics
- 6–7 field reporters for video journalism
- A charitable public trust, the Chenab Times Foundation, that sustains our efforts through community support and self-funding
Tools & Platforms
Our content is accessible via:
- Websites: thechenabtimes.com and regional-language subdomains
- Social Media: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, Telegram, Reddit and more.
Impact & Recognition
Our stories have led to measurable changes—such as improved road infrastructure, resolution of water crises, and better responsiveness from local authorities. The Multilingual News Initiative has been featured in Frontline (Magazine), The Wire, Scroll.in, Maktoob Media, and acknowledged by international observers and scholars. (See this page for more)
In 2022, we were nominated for the Best News Portal Award by the Pahari Core Committee, recognizing our efforts to safeguard linguistic and cultural heritage through journalism.
Ethics & Regulation
The Chenab Times adheres to the highest journalistic standards.
- From July 2022 to July 2024, we were members of the Media9 Digital Media Federation, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- Since August 2024, we are proud members of the DIGIPUB News India Foundation, a leading self-regulatory body for digital news media.
We remain committed to fairness, accuracy, and editorial independence—even in the face of financial or political pressures.
Final Word
At The Chenab Times, we believe journalism must be a mirror to society—not a mouthpiece for power. We are here to tell real stories, preserve lost voices, and build an informed, inclusive media space—starting from the mountains of Chenab and reaching across India and beyond.
To support us through Donation, click here.