Former NDTV journalist and co-founder of the digital news platform The Red Mike, Sanket Upadhyay, has launched two independent YouTube channels — Double Check and Awadh Punch.
Speaking to e4m, Upadhyay said that Double Check is built on the core principles of rigorous fact-checking and responsible journalism. “In today’s fast-paced news environment, everyone wants to be first. But we believe not in being ‘first’, but in being ‘factual’. Before making any claim, it is essential to verify facts thoroughly,” he said.
Upadhyay explained that Double Check will focus strongly on consumer awareness and stories that directly impact consumers. Commenting on current digital media trends, he observed, “If television journalism has become ecosystem-driven, YouTube journalism is increasingly trapped in algorithm-driven slavery. Slavery should be called out as slavery. Our effort will be to ensure that what we say is correct. When the truth is right, audiences will connect on their own.”
He added that Double Check has been launched under Double Check Network Private Limited, and the platform plans to expand its team with reporter recruitments in the near future. The YouTube channel has gone live from today.
The second channel, Awadh Punch, is entirely dedicated to the Awadhi language and the cultural heritage of the Awadh region. According to Upadhyay, digital media is no longer confined to Hindi or a few mainstream languages, but is rapidly expanding into regional and local languages.
“Awadhi is a living, vibrant language,” Upadhyay said. “Through Awadh Punch, senior journalist and noted author Madhukar Upadhyay will bring the culture, history and stories of Awadh to audiences in the language in which they are traditionally spoken.”
Madhukar Upadhyay has been active in journalism since 1975 and has authored more than 70 books to date. He played a key role in establishing the BBC Hindi Radio Service in India and has held significant editorial responsibilities at institutions such as PTI and UNI.
Upadhyay confirmed that Awadh Punch has also been officially launched today and, like Double Check, will see team expansion and recruitment in the future.