Rajneesh Bhandari is an independent multimedia journalist, filmmaker, and educator 
currently based in Kathmandu and South Asia. His multi-media works on different issues have appeared in The New York Times, AJ+, National Geographic, Aljazeera, Contrast VR, Seeker, NPR, TRT World and others. He reports on socio-political, environmental and accountability related issues.
Rajneesh worked at Nepal’s top Kantipur Television Network for seven years before moving to independent journalism. His best-known investigative story that was aired on KTV showed how some of the lawmakers were misusing their diplomatic passports. Rajneesh also worked as the multimedia editor of European Journalism Center supported news website editing the multimedia work of 35 reporters across the globe. He worked as a data and multimedia editor for the Journalists for Transparency’s J4T.org. He has conducted multimedia reporting training for South Asian journalists with International Center for Journalists and other local journalists on topics ranging from video journalism to reporting with social media.
Mr. Bhandari teaches multimedia application, online media, and television production at colleges in Nepal and also taught an online course on Multimedia Platform Practices at the Asian Center for Journalism, Ateneo De Manila University. He also coordinated Media Gufa, an experiential event where journalists report news stories using social media, isolated in a room for 72 hrs. He is a Fulbright Humphrey Alumni. He was awarded Online News Association’s MJ Bear Fellowship for his contribution towards digital journalism in Nepal.
Rajneesh Bhandari talks with Kathmandu Tribune about his journalism career and what he thinks about the current and future of multimedia journalism in Nepal.
1. What motivated you to become a journalist? How did you become interested in multimedia journalism?
I always had an interest in telling stories creatively. I had a fascination towards journalism and social sciences. I wanted to understand the society, people and the issues people were going through. That’s why after completing my S.L.C. from Galaxy Public School with distinction, I chose to study Humanities. I joined +2 at Kathmandu Don Bosco College and studied Journalism and English Literature. And then it was no looking back.
My interest in Multimedia Journalism grew more when I was working at the Kantipur Television. I think multimedia storytelling is the best way one could tell stories which weren’t possible a few decades before.
2. You worked at Kantipur Television Network (KTV) for seven years before moving to independent journalism. Can you tell us why you made that decision?
While working at the Kantipur Television, I grew interested in multimedia storytelling and tried to experiment with new tools and techniques. I produced my multimedia book on autism.
I was happy with what I learned at the Kantipur Television, my colleagues and seniors were very supportive. But I wanted to learn more and experiment multimedia wasn’t possible in Kantipur Television, so I decided to leave.
3. What made you study multimedia journalism in Ateneo De Manila University and Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University including TU? How has the journalism study helped you to become a journalist?
Educational institutions are always important in one’s life. It’s the place we learn skills, knowledge, and etiquettes.
I studied multimedia journalism at the Ateneo De Manila University and later investigative journalism, data journalism and documentary filmmaking at the Cronkite School of Journalism. My professors have always inspired me and the skills and knowledge they shared have always helped me. They have always pointed towards the right direction and it has been fruitful.
4. What was your first multimedia assignment for an international outlet? How has the journey been so far?
I always remember this story I reported for The New York Times from Bihar about the mid-day meal tragedy. But before that as well I was reporting to other outlets as well but mostly from Nepal. But this story will always remain in my heart because I traveled to Bihar to do this story. Besides producing a video story for The Times, I also produced a photo story and later a TV news package story.
There are challenges in every field, and there are more challenges while working independently. It’s rewarding to highlight women empowerment, disability and other social-political and accountability related issues.
5. You also teach about journalism. What’s like working and teaching? Do you think journalism courses are good enough in Nepal?
Sometimes it’s difficult to adjust the timing, else, it’s always good to share what I know. I started teaching in 2012 and have been doing training in multimedia journalism. I am happy to share new tools, techniques, and knowledge that will be useful and beneficial to journalists.
We really need a good course on multimedia journalism that will address today’s need. We need to improve the course and as well as the quality of our education system.
6. What’s the challenges and opportunities of being an independent journalist and filmmaker? Do you work alone?
The biggest challenge is in getting an assignment. It’s always hard for independent journalists all around. There could be a lot of rejections. Besides that, I think it gives more freedom and time to work on a story that you enjoy and care about. You constantly have to be alert.
And for an independent filmmaker, the biggest challenge could be the funding. But you could make films that you are interested in and bring change in the society.
Most of the time I work solo but there are instances I work in a team. I enjoy both.
7. What does it take to be a multimedia journalist? Can you list the key gears one need to have?
You’ll need to learn the new and old skills in journalism. Social media and new media tools are important. You should know why you are becoming a journalist, what story you want to tell and why you want to tell.
If you are kick-starting your career in multimedia journalism, you should have a camera/mobile that can take photo and video, audio mic, tripod and a laptop.
8. How’s multimedia journalism different from print and online form? What are its impacts?
Some stories are better in the text, some stories are better in pictures and some stories are better in the video. Multimedia Journalism is finding the right form that can tell the story more effectively. In print, you tell stories using text and photo but in multimedia journalism, you can integrate video. Or video could be your major element in the story. There is a lot of room for creativity. I would suggest everyone go through John Branch’s Snow Fall which changed how we thought multimedia stories could be reported.
The impact of multimedia journalism is huge. People will remember the story, they will share it and it will create an urge to react to those stories. Multimedia stories can bring change.
9. Do you see any future for multimedia journalism in Nepal?
The future of multimedia journalism in Nepal is very bright. I am happy that editors and journalists in Nepal agree that they should use multimedia techniques in their reporting. And some online are experimenting with it despite their financial challenges in Nepal.
10. Any last words for aspiring multimedia journalists?
This is the best time to be a multimedia journalist.
Correction: John Branch’s name was misspelled.
