In this week’s episode, host Abhinandan Sekhri is joined by Madhu Trehan, Raman Kirpal, Manisha Pande, and journalist and author Sandeep Bhushan.
The podcast starts off with a peek into the complex and ever-changing realm of Indian journalism through the lens of Sandeep’s book, The Indian Newsroom: Studios, Stars and The Unmaking of Reporters. Abhinandan agrees partly with its central analysis regarding the undercurrents of the profession and says, “This entire liberal cabal is a reality in media, I don’t think there’s any doubt about it and the metrics of what was an achiever or what was a good reporter were … someone who can sit with me over dinner and discuss wine rather than be able to crack a story, so social comfort took primacy over any kind of achievement”. The panel discusses issues of diversity in the newsrooms. Though it’s come a long way today, everyone agrees that you can’t ignore the fact that English news channels are still dominantly comprised of the upper class when compared to Hindi channels.
Sandeep says the reality of journalism is that it’s based on “brand as power and the power of access, both rolled into one”. He highlights the uncomfortably intimate influence growing between reporters and management. “Technically there’s no problem with it [the hands-on involvement of the management], but in a media organisation, I believe it has to be run differently. It cannot be run in the way other organisations are run wherein there’s Reliance, where Mr Ambani feels that his children should take over. It cannot run like that.” Madhu adds, “Their culture is well-entrenched enough for journalists who work there to know that it will be market-driven and it’s not going to be journalism.”
The panel moves on to PM Narendra Modi’s “interview spree”. Will it impact Modi’s image if he takes people into his confidence during interviews regarding his failings on issues such as unemployment? “I think we are talking of an ideal situation and politics is not an ideal place … this is how political discourse should happen but it doesn’t,” says Raman. He believes that the strategy of providing the people with a false consciousness of nationalism as a distraction plays in Modi’s favour. Sandeep says this strategy of willful ignorance is beneficial to him since it helps him steer clear of the vulnerabilities associated with providing explanations for failed policies.
The discussion steers towards the various events surrounding the Supreme Court. Referring to the handling of the sexual harassment allegations against CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Manisha says, “How the Supreme Court has acted is really ridiculous. What is an in-house committee? You [are supposed to] set up a Visakha committee, it’s sexual harassment at the workplace.” Discussing fake news tweeted by politicians’ Twitter handles, Abhinandan points out that one “cannot tackle fake news … when the political establishment’s main tool for information is fake news because they will not make laws to take that on”.
The panel also discusses the nurturing of “stars” as brand-building exercises in journalism, survival tactics employed by anti-Modi supporters in the face of a hostile fan base, and much more.
Tune in!
#HaftaLetters: ‘I believe that journalism’s core is based in Leftist and liberal discourse’
References
The Indian Newsroom by Sandeep Bhushan
On the trail of the mysterious ‘Atishi pamphlet’: here’s what we know so far
How I was detained by the cops for covering a protest and later released—with no explanation
MJ Akbar vs Priya Ramani: a breakdown of the 120-minute long courtroom drama
How Do You Save a Million People From a Cyclone? Ask a Poor State in India
Sunaina’s Story: In A UP Village, A Young Girl Will Not Be Defeated
Can the World’s Largest Democracy Endure Another Five Years of a Modi Government?
From The Indian Express archives 30 years ago: Rajiv in Lakshadweep
NL Interviews: Abhinandan Sekhri in conversation with Aatish Taseer
NL Interviews Aatish Taseer: Part 1 and Part 2
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Voter in the middle: With acche din nowhere in sight, who does a moderate vote for this election?
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