429 shows by Indian news anchors in buildup to LS polls, 229 of them anti-opposition, 116 pro-Modi
Newslaundry releases 'Godi Media's' report card
New Delhi: The pre-poll survey conducted by Lokniti-CSDS in 2024 has identified unemployment and inflation as significant factors in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. However, these critical issues have received minimal or no screen time in the mainstream media in the run-up to the elections.
A team from Newslaundry, responsible for producing the popular show ‘TV Newsance’, analyzed the TV shows and debates of six prominent news anchors of the country, often referred to as the ‘Godi Media’ – Amish Devgan (News18), Arnab Goswami (Republic TV), Rahul Shivshankar (Network 18), Sudhir Chaudhary (Aaj Tak), Navika Kumar (Times Now), and Sushant Sinha (Times Now Hindi). They scrutinized the shows aired by these anchors from February 1, 2024, to April 12, 2024, in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha Elections.
According to Manisha Pande, Managing Editor of Newslaundry and the host of TV Newsance, the six anchors conducted 429 shows during this period. A significant 52% (229) were anti-opposition, 116 were Pro-Modi (27%), and 24 of these shows had religious undertones and discussed Hindu—Muslim issues to communalize sensitive subjects. Only 6 shows (1.4%) were Anti-Government and Pro-opposition, while only 5 shows discussed Job and Education combined (1.1%).
Delving into the numbers further, Manisha added that Amish Devgan hosted 49 shows, of which 15 were anti-opposition and 15 were pro-Modi. Arnab Goswami conducted 137 shows, with a significant 73 anti-opposition shows and 32 Pro-Modi shows. Similarly, Rahul Shivshankar moderated 90 shows, with 37 Anti-opposition and 27 pro-Modi topics. Navika Kumar conducted 51 shows, with 33 anti-opposition and 12 pro-Modi shows.
Sushant Sinha hosted 50 shows, with 29 anti-opposition and 15 pro-Modi, while Sudhir Chaudhary presented 52 shows, with 27 anti-opposition and 15 pro-Modi shows.
Manisha specifically highlighted how Arnab Goswami failed to discuss unemployment and inflation in any of his shows, even once but conducted 12 shows on the topic of Pakistan in the buildup to the Lok Sabha Elections in our country.
At a time when the mainstream media should be busy questioning the lapses, failures, and policies of the government, as in an ideal democracy, the media in India is busy glorifying the government, with almost zero criticism, and directing tough questions towards the opposition in a bid to bring their morale down.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
