Notebook columnist Sunalini Mathew argues that journalism is collective work. Sunalini Mathew adds that modern media visibility incentives can push audiences toward individual celebrity-like attention, often reducing recognition of helpers and of people whose lives become part of the public record.

What happened (core claims of Sunalini Mathew)

Sunalini Mathew makes three linked claims about journalism and media culture: (1) newsroom output depends on teams and enabling roles, (2) social-media platforms change attention patterns toward individual prominence, and (3) ethical public communication requires acknowledgement of many contributors and sources who grant access and context.

Background and earlier position (humility in newsroom credit)

Sunalini Mathew describes a newsroom lesson in humility: an editor could imagine producing a newspaper with fewer editorial staff, but a newspaper cannot be produced if the printing press stops. Sunalini Mathew uses this contrast to show that publishing depends on an ecosystem of people and infrastructure, not only on visible writing.

Sunalini Mathew also highlights newsroom dependencies that often remain invisible to audiences: city reporters can rely on rural sourcing through regional-language reporters; desk editors and story editors handle fact-checking, page design support, rewriting, and deadline fulfilment; headline writers shape presentation; commissioning editors and editors who prepare contingency plans help the newsroom respond when field conditions change. Sunalini Mathew also notes that advertising/brand and administration departments support journalists through finances, logistics, and organisational stability.

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