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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P&H High Court denies anticipatory bail to man accused of replacing national flag with saffron flag
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has refused to grant anticipatory bail to Vikas Tomar, who is accused of removing the national flag from a mosque in Gurugram’s Uton village and replacing it with a saffron flag.
Justice Manisha Batra, presiding over the case Vikas Tomar @ Vikash Tomar v. State of Haryana, observed that the allegations against the petitioner were not vague but specific, and supported by conversations between him and other co-accused.
“The gravity of the offence and its potential impact on public order and communal peace cannot be overlooked at this stage,” the Court noted. It further stated that no exceptional circumstances had been presented that would justify granting pre-arrest bail, especially given the “serious communal and constitutional implications” of the alleged conduct.
According to the prosecution, a complaint was filed on July 7 in Bilaspur, Gurugram, reporting that anti-social elements had replaced the national flag atop a mosque with a saffron flag. Audio and video evidence were submitted along with the complaint. Two other accused were initially arrested under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 2 of the Prevention of Insult to National Honours Act, 1971, but were granted bail the same day.
The Sessions Court had earlier denied anticipatory bail to Tomar on July 15, with Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Chauhan observing that such acts threaten the social fabric in a diverse country like India. He remarked, “Any person of ordinary prudence and slightest of patriotism in his heart would not have dared to commit such a crime.”
Tomar's counsel argued before the High Court that he was not named in the FIR and had no role in the alleged incident. However, opposing counsel representing the State and the complainant contended that Tomar aimed to provoke communal unrest in the region.
Justice Batra, after considering the arguments, concluded that custodial interrogation of the accused was necessary. “No ground for grant of anticipatory bail is made out,” the Court held.
Advocate Abhimanyu Singh appeared for the petitioner, while Additional Advocate General Apoorv Garg represented the State of Haryana. Advocate Rosi appeared for the complainant.
The bail plea was dismissed.
