Journalist Mehdi Hasan announces new media venture Zeteo, says "Ready to Make Some Noise"
Urges people to become paid members because 'freedom isn't free'
Journalist Mehdi Hasan, known for his work with Al Jazeera English and MSNBC, announced the launch of his new media venture, Zeteo. The unveiling follows his departure from MSNBC, as his show was canceled in a network reshuffle in November 2023. The final episode of his Sunday night show aired on January 7, where Hasan expressed gratitude for his tenure on MSNBC and disclosed his decision to seek new challenges.
“I’m so excited about the launch of this new media company of mine, Zeteo,” Hasan wrote in his official post.
Zeteo, derived from ancient Greek, meaning 'seeking out,' aims to confront the prevalence of "alternative facts," "fake news," and "gaslighting" in the current media landscape. Hasan emphasized the need for truth-seeking and sharing amid the challenges posed by misinformation.
“In this dystopian age of ‘alternative facts,’ ‘fake news,’ and constant ‘gaslighting,’ seeking out the truth and sharing it with others is more important than ever before. And so it is the primary goal of this new media venture of mine,” Hassan added in his statement.
In response to what he views as the mainstream media's reluctance to address critical issues directly, Hasan outlined Zeteo's mission to prioritize truth-telling over maintaining connections to those in power. He asserted that in an era of widespread deceit, speaking the truth becomes a revolutionary act.
“I hope that Zeteo will be revolutionary in that sense, a vanguard of a new media movement. One which prioritizes speaking truth to power over securing access to power.
“Don’t get me wrong. I have spent more than two decades working at some of the biggest media organizations in the West - the BBC, Sky News, and NBC, among them - and I will forever be grateful for the opportunities, and the platforms that they gave me. There are hundreds of outstanding journalists still employed at those corporations.
“But the corporate media itself is in crisis. The business models are failing, audiences are declining, and public trust is in freefall. Countless crimes and abuses are being committed in plain sight, both at home and abroad, while countless news outlets distract us with fluff, gossip, and nonsense,” his statement added.
Hasan acknowledged the challenges facing traditional media, citing failing business models, declining audiences, and dwindling public trust. He positioned Zeteo as an alternative platform for robust interviews, deep-dive monologues, podcasts, newsletters, and social videos. Hasan emphasized the platform's commitment to transparency about its opinions and biases while delivering truthful content.
Zeteo's business model revolves around a subscription-based model where users pay a nominal fee for exclusive content and to support independent journalism. Hasan encouraged his audience to become paid subscribers, highlighting the opportunity to contribute to building an alternative media outlet.
The journalist outlined three primary reasons for subscribing to Zeteo. Firstly, it provides an opportunity for individuals critical of mainstream media to actively participate in building an alternative. Second, subscribers can support Mehdi Hasan's journalistic endeavors directly. Lastly, subscription fees will contribute to assembling a diverse team of contributors, ensuring Zeteo's content goes beyond a one-person operation.
Zeteo's content, including newsletters, clips, and more, will be freely accessible in the initial weeks leading up to the official launch in April. Hasan concluded by emphasizing the importance of supporting independent media and urged those advocating for a free press to contribute financially to ensure the platform's sustainability.
It's worth noting that Mehdi Hasan's departure from MSNBC drew attention and garnered support, with many praising his coverage of critical issues and criticizing the network for removing one of the few Muslim hosts from its lineup.
“We will be rolling out my new video and audio shows in April, both on Substack and on YouTube, plus Spotify and the rest, as well as all the names on our roster of American and international contributors. Over the next few weeks, as we prepare for the big launch, all of the content you get from Zeteo - newsletters, clips, etc. - will be free.
“But not forever. Because, to put it bluntly, freedom isn’t free. If we keep saying we want a free press, and an alternative to corporate media, then we have to be willing to put our money where our mouths are,” Hasan’s statement added.
“Zeteo is all about looking out of that window. Over and over again. To seek out the facts, to tell the truth, to ask the tough questions. We are clear-eyed about our role and our mission: to be journalists and not stenographers; truth-tellers and not gaslighters. So… are you with us?” it added.
To subscribe to Zeteo News, CLICK HERE.
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CJI calls for 'unified judicial policy', use of technology to converge practices across courts
Jaisalmer (PTI): Pushing for a "unified judicial policy", Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday said technology can help align standards and practices across courts, creating a "seamless experience" for citizens, regardless of their location.
He said high courts -- due to the federal structure -- have had their own practices and technological capacities, and "regional barriers" can be broken down with technology to create a more unified judicial ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address at the West Zone Regional Conference in Jaisalmer, Kant proposed the idea of a "national judicial ecosystem" and called for an overhaul of India's judicial system with the integration of technology.
"Today, as technology reduces geographical barriers and enables convergence, it invites us to think of justice not as regional systems operating in parallel, but as one national ecosystem with shared standards, seamless interfaces, and coordinated goals," he said.
He emphasised how the role of technology in the judiciary has evolved over time.
"Technology is no longer merely an administrative convenience. It has evolved into a constitutional instrument that strengthens equality before the law, expands access to justice, and enhances institutional efficiency," he said, highlighting how digital tools can bridge gaps in the judicial system.
Kant pointed out that technology enables the judiciary to overcome the limitations of physical distance and bureaucratic hurdles.
"It allows the judiciary to transcend physical barriers and bureaucratic rigidities to deliver outcomes that are timely, transparent and principled," he said, adding that the effective use of technology can modernise the delivery of justice and make it more accessible to citizens across the country.
The CJI called for implementing a "unified judicial policy".
He said India's judicial system has long been shaped by its federal structure, and different high courts have their own practices and technological capacities.
"India's vast diversity has led to different high courts evolving their own practices, administrative priorities and technological capacities. This variation, though natural in a federal democracy, has resulted in uneven experiences for litigants across the country," he said.
Kant underscored that predictability is crucial for building trust in the judicial system.
"A core expectation citizens place upon the courts is predictability," he said, adding that citizens should not only expect fair treatment but also consistency in how cases are handled across the country.
He pointed to the potential of technology in improving predictability.
"Technology enables us to track systemic delays and make problems visible rather than concealed," he said.
By identifying areas where delays occur, such as in bail matters or cases involving certain types of disputes, courts can take targeted action to address these issues and improve efficiency, Kant said.
The CJI explained that data-driven tools could identify the reasons behind delays or bottlenecks, allowing for faster, more focused solutions.
"Technology enables prioritisation by flagging sensitive case categories, monitoring pendency in real time and ensuring transparent listing protocols," he said.
Justice Surya Kant also discussed the importance of prioritising urgent cases where delays could result in significant harm. He highlighted his recent administrative order that ensures urgent cases, such as bail petitions or habeas corpus cases, are listed within two days of curing defects.
"Where delay causes deep harm, the system must respond with urgency," he stated, explaining that technology can help courts identify and expedite such cases.
Kant also raised the issue of the clarity of judicial decisions.
He noted that many litigants, despite winning cases, often struggle to understand the terms of their judgment due to complex legal language.
"Although the orders had gone in their favour, they remained unsure of what relief they had actually secured because the language was too technical, vague or evasive to understand," he said.
He advocated for more uniformity in how judgments are written.
"A unified judicial approach must therefore extend to how we communicate outcomes," he said.
The CJI also discussed the role of AI and digital tools in improving case management. He pointed to the potential of AI-based research assistants and digital case management systems to streamline judicial processes.
"Emerging technological tools are now capable of performing once-unthinkable functions. They can highlight missing precedent references, cluster similar legal questions, and simplify factual narration," he said, explaining how these technologies can help judges make more consistent decisions.
He also highlighted tools like the National Judicial Data Grid and e-courts, which are already helping to standardise processes like case filings and tracking.
Kant reiterated that the integration of technology into the judicial process is not just about improving efficiency but about upholding the integrity of the system and strengthening public trust.
"The measure of innovation is not the complexity of the software we deploy, but the simplicity with which a citizen understands the outcome of their case and believes that justice has been served," he said.
