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Support independent Southasian journalism

Himal has covered Southasia and its diaspora with rigour, imagination and complete independence for almost four decades. We answer to no government, no corporation, no political patron – and we rely on readers’ support to keep it that way.

Free

Complete access to all of Himal's journalism

  • Unlimited access to all of Himal's reporting and archives
  • Regular newsletters featuring roundups, news and more
  • Can comment on all posts
Subscribe now

Southasia Insider

Everything in the 'Free' tier plus:

  • Patrons-only WhatsApp community – with direct access to editorial team
  • Access to quarterly calls with the Himal editorial team
  • Support Himal’s independent, open-access Southasian journalism
$5 /month
$49 /year
Subscribe now Subscribe now
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Southasia Star

Everything in the 'Southasia Insider' tier plus:

  • All Insider privileges
  • Himal's iconic Right-Side Up Map and sticker pack mailed to you
  • Support Himal’s independent, open-access Southasian journalism
$10 /month
$99 /year
Subscribe now Subscribe now
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Southasia Superstar

Everything in the 'Southasia Star' tier plus:

  • All Southasia Star privileges
  • 2 copies of the Right-Side Up Map and sticker pack mailed to you
  • Support Himal’s independent, open-access Southasian journalism
$20 /month
$199 /year
Subscribe now Subscribe now
discount

Already a member? Click here to log in. Himal has covered Southasia and its diaspora with rigour, imagination and complete independence for almost four decades. We answer to no government, no corporation, no political patron – and we rely on readers’ support to keep it that way. As Southasia faces a crisis of credible and uncompromised media, Himal’s world-class journalism is needed now more than ever. Our work is openly accessible and paywall-free for all readers in the region so we can reach the most people and make the biggest difference. By becoming a Himal Patron, you join the fight for independent journalism in Southasia – and get exclusive privileges too.

Already a member? Click here to log in. Himal has covered Southasia and its diaspora with rigour, imagination and complete independence for almost four decades. We answer to no government, no corporation, no political patron – and we rely on readers’ support to keep it that way. As Southasia faces a crisis of credible and uncompromised media, Himal’s world-class journalism is needed now more than ever. Our work is openly accessible and paywall-free for all readers in Southasia so we can reach the most people and make the biggest difference. We ask readers outside Southasia to become Himal Patrons to enjoy unfettered access to all our journalism, and to support free access to our journalism for all readers in Southasia. Plus you get lots of other privileges too. Become a Himal Patron and join the fight for independent Southasian journalism.

1. Why should I become a Himal Patron?

As a non-profit magazine, Himal has no corporate ownership, no government funding, no dependence on advertising from any business or political party. Reader support is how we guarantee that we remain fully independent.

As a reader in Southasia, you can read everything we publish for free. But independent journalism is not free to produce. If you value what we do and want it to continue, becoming a Patron is the best way to help.

2. What content is behind the paywall?

As a reader in Southasia, you can access all of Himal’s work paywall-free, regardless of whether or not you are a Patron. We paywall content for readers outside Southasia to help raise the revenues we need to keep our journalism alive. That paywall revenue subsidises our work, but we need voluntary support from Patrons in the region too.

3. Why have a paywall for readers outside Southasia but no paywall for readers inside Southasia?

Lower average incomes and a lack of cross-border payment instruments (e.g. international credit cards) in Southasia mean a large share of readers within the region cannot pay to support Himal’s journalism. Paywalling our work in Southasia would cut these readers off, hindering our core mission and limiting the impact of our work in the region that needs it most. By paywalling our content only outside Southasia, we’re asking readers in other parts of the world to support Himal and subsidise free access to our independent journalism for everyone in the region. And we continue to ask readers in Southasia who can pay to also become Patrons to support the magazine.

This is not about restricting access. It is about achieving the financial conditions that make independent, public-interest journalism possible. We ask readers who can pay to do so in support of readers who cannot.

4. What do Himal Patrons get?

All Himal Patrons receive access to our patron-only WhatsApp community and an invitation to our Patrons Quarterly Meet, an exclusive online call with the Himal editorial team. Southasia Star and Southasia Superstar Patrons also receive our iconic Right-Side Up Map and a pack of Himal stickers. Southasia Superstar Patrons additionally receive one gift subscription a year to share.

5. I want to become a Patron but I don’t have a valid credit/debit card. Can I pay any other way?

A credit card is the fastest way to set up a Patron plan, but we try our best to accommodate other payment options too. Email us at patrons@himalmag.com and we can organise a direct bank transfer. Unfortunately we cannot accept cash payments.

6. Do you offer group or institutional memberships?

We offer group and institutional memberships for universities, research institutions, civil-society organisations, newsrooms and businesses looking to read and support Himal. Write to us at patrons@himalmag.com to find out more.

7. Do you offer gift subscriptions?

Yes! You can purchase a gift Patron membership for anyone you think should be reading Himal. The recipient gets a redemption link and can activate their Patron membership without entering payment details. To purchase a gift membership, visit [GIFT SUBSCRIPTION LINK].

1. Why should I become a Himal Patron?

As a non-profit magazine, Himal has no corporate ownership, no government funding, no dependence on advertising from any business or political party. Reader support is how we guarantee that we remain fully independent.

If you value what we do and want it to continue, becoming a Patron is the best way to help.

2. What content requires a Patron plan to access?

Our most ambitious reports, investigations and essays, as well as every story in the Himal archive older than one year, is only accessible with a Patron plan. Other pieces published in the last 12 months, all our newsletters and all our podcasts remain free to everyone.

A Patron plan gives you full and unrestricted access to all of our work – including the complete archive of Himal’s independent coverage of Southasia for 39 years and counting. 

This is not about restricting access. It is about protecting the conditions that make independent public interest journalism possible and asking the readers who can to make it possible for those who cannot. Readers in Southasia will always have free access. That commitment is permanent and unconditional.

3. What do Himal Patrons get?

Himal Patrons receive full access to all of our journalism – including our complete 39-year archive – plus access to our Patron-only WhatsApp community and invitations to our Quarterly Patrons Meet, an exclusive online call with the Himal editorial team. Southasia Star and Southasia Superstar Patrons also receive our iconic Right-Side Up Map and a pack of Himal stickers. Southasia Superstar Patrons additionally receive one gift subscription a year to share with anyone they like.

4. I want to become a Patron but I don’t have a valid credit/debit card. Can I pay any other way?

A credit card is the fastest way to set up a Patron plan, but we try our best to accommodate other payment options too. Email us at patrons@himalmag.com and we can organise a direct bank transfer. Unfortunately we cannot accept cash payments.

5. Do you offer group or institutional memberships?

We offer group and institutional memberships for universities, research institutions, civil-society organisations, newsrooms and businesses looking to read and support Himal. Write to us at patrons@himalmag.com to find out more.

6. Do you offer gift subscriptions?

Yes! You can purchase a gift Patron membership for anyone you think should be reading Himal. The recipient gets a redemption link and can activate their Patron membership without entering payment details. To purchase a gift membership, visit [GIFT SUBSCRIPTION LINK].