Be our BrandAmbassador!

The Times Of India needs NRI Citizen Journalists to cover Indian cultural events & diaspora-related news

FAQs

  • Who can be a Citizen Journalist?Anyone can. It’s not just about writing. Because we’re inviting Citizen Journalists to send us not just text but images and videos as well. Yes, even standalone videos and pictures, as long as there are captions to go with them. We could have students, professionals, homemakers, entrepreneurs – just about anyone sending us content – as long as it’s in line with what we’re looking for. And as long as the quality of their submission meets our editorial standards. Also, you need to own the copyright to the content you’re sending and by default, indemnify us against any copyright infringements.
  • Why will I want to be a Citizen Journalist with the TOI NRI section?Currently, there is no financial remuneration for Citizen Journalists empanelled with us. That might make you ask – Why write for the TOI NRI section? Here’s what we’re giving you:

    a. Association with India’s largest and most respected brand, which is also one of the largest media brand in the world
    b. Official recognition from The Times of India
    c. A good thing on your CV
    d. Aesthetic satisfaction
    e. Journalistic experience with editorial guidance from the best people in the industry
    f. A pride of place to showcase your work portfolio on the website of the world’s largest English-language newspaper
    g. A high place for your work portfolio on the search engines
    h. A better standing and better networking capacities in your own NRI community by virtue of a potent platform to share related news
  • Will I get paid?Refer to Question 2. We have no system of monetary remuneration for our Citizen Journalists. However, we offer recognition to regular contributors by inducting them into the Brand Ambassador programme. To know more about the Brand Ambassador Programme, click here.
  • What can I write on/ send pictures and videos on?Well, we’re very strictly adhering to the list of subjects specified on this page. Anything beyond the specified ambit will not be considered, which is why we specifically request you to send a five-sentence story outline each time to us for pre-approvals. The same principles apply if you wish to send us a photo feature or a video clip. Please send us your idea (in not more than five sentences), receive approvals by our editorial team and then send us the story/photos/videos. We’d be happy to publish only pre-approved news reports, pictures and video clips.
  • What is the process for submitting reports/photo features/videos?Please send us your story idea (envisaging text, images or videos). Once it receives editorial approval, you’d hear from us and then you could send us the story/photos/videos. Pre-approvals make sure you get published. Unsolicited submissions will not be considered.
  • How will I know that my report has been published?If your story idea has been approved by our editors, your report would very likely be published, provided our editors are satisfied with the coherence of style, subject-matter and presentation of the report. Our basic journalistic objectives would have to be met in order for the report to be published. Please visit the TOI NRI section frequently to find out if your story/photos/videos have been published. Although we try and process the stories as soon as we can, we can’t promise you a deadline. This applies only to stories pre-approved by our editors.
  • Do you accept other submissions unrelated to the TOI NRI section?No, we don’t accept submissions that are unrelated to the TOI NRI section.
  • How long does it take to get published?See Question 6.
  • How else can I get involved with the TOI NRI section?You could help us get more and more Citizen Journalists from various locations on board. You could help us create students’ communities or other NRI communities – groups of Citizen Journalists who would network among themselves to cover the vast geographical area of USA and Canada. And yes, other countries too.
  • What locations do you prefer?We’re currently focusing on the USA and Canada. However, that’s not all. We’re quite open to NRI Citizen Journalists from other countries sending their story ideas to us.