Meena Kotwal Wants To Become A Voice For The Voiceless With Her Media Platform

Meena Kotwal, founder, The Mooknayak, won SheThePeople’s Digital Women Awards 2024 under the Impact category for her work in media initiatives dedicated to giving a voice to India’s marginalized communities, including dalits, tribals, and women.

The Mooknayak breaks through the silence surrounding issues of caste-based oppression, gender inequality, and social injustice. By focusing on stories often ignored by mainstream media, it brings forth the struggles, resilience, and aspirations of those who are traditionally voiceless. Through investigative journalism, advocacy, and powerful storytelling, The Mooknayak challenges the status quo, striving for a more just and equitable society. Its commitment to truth and empowerment makes it a critical force for change in India’s media landscape.

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SheThePeople In Conversation With Meena Kotwal:

What roles do you play at The Mooknayak, and what drives you toward this goal?

I am the founder of 'The Mooknayak,' an influential online news portal established in January 2021, dedicated to amplifying marginalised voices and addressing social injustice. Previously a journalist at BBC Hindi, I have earned international recognition, with features in Deutsche Welle, The New York Times, Voice of America, Al Jazeera, and other prestigious outlets. I have delivered impactful speeches at top universities, including the University of Michigan, Harvard, and Columbia, and this year I spoke at UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley. My advocacy work has garnered national and international awards, reflecting my commitment to social justice and equity.

How did you use digital platforms and tools to build your business?

Technology and digital platforms have been instrumental in Mooknayak’s growth. They allow us to reach and engage directly with marginalised communities, bypassing traditional media barriers. Social media has been a powerful tool in amplifying voices and raising awareness of caste-based discrimination. Our YouTube channel, with 87,000 subscribers, has become a key platform for delivering in-depth reports and interviews with figures from marginalized communities, generating significant national and international engagement.

On Twitter (Hindi & English), with over 220,000 followers, we actively raise real-time awareness about social justice issues, while viral posts highlight the struggles of Dalit and Tribal women, bringing critical attention to often ignored cases. Our Facebook page, with 17,000 followers, and Instagram, with 114,000 followers, further extend our reach, connecting with a younger, visually-driven audience.”

How do you envision your future with The Mooknayak?

The Mooknayak has significant growth opportunities in India’s expanding digital media landscape, particularly among the country’s 300 million Dalit and Tribal population. With increasing internet penetration, the platform can scale its impact by reaching a broader audience through regional language content. As part of its expansion strategy, Mooknayak is set to launch platforms in Marathi and Telugu, allowing it to tap into the 80 million Marathi (approx.) and 80 million Telugu (approx.) speakers across India. By addressing the unique issues faced by marginalised communities in these regions, and with growing digital access, The Mooknayak is well-positioned to capture a larger market share.

Expanding multimedia content—videos, podcasts, and investigative reports in these languages—will deepen engagement and broaden its impact. This growth aligns with India’s digital ad market, opening opportunities for brand partnerships, collaborations, and subscription models, further solidifying The Mooknayak as a leading platform for social change.

What does your business model look like?

Grants, media collaboration, advertising, events, and leveraging technology to localise content for new communities. Data analytics helps refine our content strategy, ensuring we focus on the issues that resonate most with our audience. Additionally, crowdfunding via platforms like Ketto and Milaap has enabled us to sustain our business model through individual support, fostering a loyal community that champions social justice.

 What are the key challenges you faced in this journey?

One of the greatest hurdles was securing funding and resources in a media environment dominated by mainstream narratives, where marginalised voices are often silenced or overlooked.

As a Dalit woman, I encountered personal challenges as well, including caste-based discrimination and gender bias, which made it difficult to establish credibility in a deeply entrenched industry. Moreover, I faced severe trolling, rape threats, and even threats to my life for daring to speak out.

Building a team committed to Mooknayak's mission was another challenge, especially with limited financial resources. It was difficult to convince talented journalists and media professionals to join a platform focused on politically and socially sensitive issues, especially in an environment where such topics often attract backlash.

Despite these challenges, my unwavering commitment to social justice and the resilience of my team have helped The Mooknayak grow into a powerful platform, championing the voices of India’s most marginalized communities.