Episode 279: Devconnect 2025 with Shubhranshu Choudhary

Jan 23, 2026

Shubhranshu Choudhary, journalist and activist behind CGNet Swara, builds community-led, inclusive journalism in rural and conflict-affected India. He discusses why mainstream media feels aristocratic. He explores open source, Web3 and blockchain as tools for democratic media. He outlines using AI to reduce costs and building trust, anonymity, and local control for sustainable, people-powered news.

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INSIGHT

Media Is Locked In An Aristocratic Design

Journalism today is aristocratic and top-down, limiting community contribution and problem-solving.
Shubhranshu argues technology and democratic redesign can move media from gatekeepers to commons.

ADVICE

Build Media On Open, Democratic Tech

Use open source and decentralized tools so media platforms remain inclusive and not controlled by a few owners.
Prioritize democratic communication design rather than proprietary one-way systems.

ADVICE

Make Reporting Universal And Oral-First

Design platforms so every citizen can act as a voter and a reporter, enabling representative reporting at scale.
Use tools that accommodate oral expression and local languages rather than requiring literacy.

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Guest

Shubhranshu Choudhary

Panelists

Eriol Fox | Victory Brown

Show Notes

In this episode of Sustain, host Eriol Fox and co-host Victory Brown speak with Shubhranshu “Shu” Choudhary. They delve into his work with Democratic Media and its connections to open source technology. Shu discusses the aristocratic nature of current media, the importance of democratizing journalism, and the potential role of open source and decentralized technologies like Web3 and blockchain in making media more inclusive and representative. He shares his vision of community-led journalism, the challenges of sustaining independent media, and the importance of technology in addressing these issues. The conversation highlights the need for democratic platforms, the role of AI in reducing costs, and the potential for blockchain to create financially independent media. Shu also touches on the trust and inclusivity required for effective community journalism. Press download to hear more!

[00:00:33] Shu tells us what his work involves and how it connects to open source software.

[00:02:52] Eriol asks why Shu finds open source, Web3, and decentralization critical to the democratic media work that he’s doing. He explains that media should be commons and inclusive, not controlled by media owners.

[00:05:04] Shu details the challenges and solutions in media representation. He envisions a “News Commission” (like an Election Commission) where everyone can submit stories and AI’s role.

[00:09:27] Eriol recalls a Ugandan project she worked on where farmers reclaimed radio to broadcast their issues. Shu admits he previously associated Web3 only with scammers, but DevConnect showed him serious, positive work. Also, he sees potential for AI and Web3 joint platforms and explains designing for the “last person first.”

[00:16:18] Victory asks about trust in tech, given risks to Shu and his family and wider distrust of Web3/open source. Shu’s trust is multi-layered, during conflict, anonymity is crucial, but in calmer times, trust also means community control.

[00:20:02] Eriol and Victory connect Shu’s ideas to open source governance and community driven tool design. Shu points out that voters/reporters must not be paid per story but should be compensated through impact.

[00:22:19] Find out where to follow Shu and his work on the internet and he stresses this is a humanity-wide challenge, not just a journalists’ one.

Credits

Produced by Richard Littauer
Edited by Paul M. Bahr at Peachtree Sound
Show notes by DeAnn Bahr Peachtree Sound
Logistical support by Tina Arboleda from Digital Savvies

Special Guest: Shubhranshu Choudhary.

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