I thought EPW would be less susceptible to corporate pressure: Paranjoy

I have never concealed the fact that I am proud of being a reporter, says Paranjoy

Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, a veteran of four decades in journalism who has also dabbled in education and publishing, in an interview with N Sundaresha Subramanian at his Nizamuddin office, a residential flat that he has used for over a decade writing his books and articles, discusses his 15-month stint at EPW and the way it ended. Edited Excerpts:

What was the brief given at the time of taking over the editor’s job at EPW? Did you go on to do something that was not expected of you, such as corporate investigations?

My track record as a journalist is in the public domain. The book written by me, Gas Wars, was formally launched in April 2014, two years before I joined EPW. And, because EPW was controlled by a trust, I felt that unlike many media organisations, it would be less susceptible to pressures from large corporate conglomerates as well as corporate advertisers, and that was really what motivated me.  

Was there any agreement on writing bylined articles at the time of appointment?

No. I was told my predecessors did not write signed articles. But, I have never concealed the fact that I am proud of being a reporter. I was told I should give others a chance, I should write fewer articles under my byline. But, it was never explicitly told I was not to write under my byline — until the 18th of July.

Who does the financial management? Is it the trustees or the editor?

The editor is de-facto CEO.

You also managed the finances?

It has not been specified. But the role of the editor of EPW is multi-faceted. The editor is considered to be de-facto CEO, and is involved in general administration, circulation, advertising and fund raising.