In today’s age of overwhelming digital content and widespread misinformation, a few voices strive to stand out—not by shouting louder, but by speaking clearer. One such voice is Subash Deb, a seasoned media professional, social worker, and founder of the bold digital news platform debcubspark.com – theTimes. Based in Noida and originally from Shillong, Deb brings a rare blend of editorial precision, social awareness, and journalistic integrity to the digital news space.
We spoke with Subash Deb about his journey, vision, and the values that shape his venture.
Q: Subash, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background before launching debcubspark.com – theTimes.?
Absolutely. I come from a background in media and publishing, with experience spanning magazine, digital, and book publishing. Over the years, I’ve written for various platforms on topics like politics, health, energy, education, and business. I’m also deeply involved in social work, which has always influenced the kind of journalism I believe in—fact-based, people-centric, and honest. I was recently honored with a Doctorate in Media & Publishing by the Honorary Doctorate Award Council (HDAC), which I consider a recognition of both my editorial and social work contributions.
Q: What inspired you to start this platform? Was there a personal story behind it?
Yes, it’s quite personal. The idea began back in 2010. At that time, we launched debcubspark.com as a creative space for budding writers who wanted to express themselves beyond the boundaries of traditional media. It became a hub for discussions, poetry, opinions, and more. Unfortunately, after some successful years, the platform went dormant due to various constraints.
But the desire never died. In 2024, we relaunched it as debcubspark.com – theTimes., now with a renewed focus on addressing the noise and misinformation that dominates today’s news ecosystem. Our goal is to provide a factual, uncluttered, and bold journalistic platform that respects the truth and empowers real voices.
Q: What were the first steps you took to bring this relaunch to life?
Great question. Any idea begins as just that—an idea. To make it a reality, especially in the media world, you need vision, resilience, and structure. Our first move was to revisit the core concept: empowering writers and journalists who value facts over flash.
Then came the backend—getting compliance in place, including GST registration and legal structuring. We also started working on monetization early on. We’re already live on Google AdSense and are exploring multiple revenue streams to support our growing team.
Q: In a saturated digital news space, what makes debcubspark.com – theTimes. different?
Our differentiation lies in our intent and execution. We don’t chase clickbait or sensationalism. Our platform caters to both niche and general audiences with crisp, credible content—be it interviews, editorials, or features. Every piece goes through a factual verification process. We’re still young, evolving steadily, and soon moving toward direct reporting with primary sources. That’s a big step in reducing dependency on secondary news and building trust.
Our real strength lies in creating a space for courageous journalism—where facts take center stage and writers aren’t pressured to compromise for views or agenda.
Q: What is your vision for the platform in the next 2–3 years?
We’ve already experienced our ups and downs. But 2024’s relaunch marked a fresh beginning. Over the next few years, I envision debcubspark.com – theTimes. as a thriving ecosystem of independent journalism. We want to grow through meaningful collaborations and attract both emerging talent and strategic investors. Expansion of our content verticals and onboarding passionate writers and reporters are part of the roadmap.
Our vision is to become a trusted name in independent digital journalism—unfiltered, honest, and deeply rooted in ground realities.
Q: Any mantra or belief you follow as a founder and editor?
Yes—“Survive and let survive.” In a world driven by ratings and revenues, it’s easy to lose sight of purpose. Journalism is no longer just about informing—it’s become a race. But for us, the goal is to sustain without compromising values.
Visit us at – www.debcubspark.com
