I fear media bias towards Modi will continue in 2024 General Elections: Rajdeep Sardesai
Rajdeep spoke about several key issues of country in an exclusive interview with VB
Rajdeep Sardesai, one of the senior most and well-respected journalists of India, in an exclusive interview with Vartha Bharati shared his views and ideas on key issues of the country including the current PM Modi-led BJP regime and his views on people paying for news. From his personal stance on the left-right battles to the trolling, he is subjected to online, Rajdeep answered several questions during the interview.
Rajdeep was interviewed by Vartha Bharati’s Senior Sub-Editor Ismail Zaorez for the 20th annual edition of the Vartha Bharati magazine that was released on Saturday, 31 December 2022.
Born to former Indian Test cricketer Dilip Sardesai and Nandini, an activist in Mumbai, Rajdeep began his career in journalism with The Times of India in 1988. He entered television journalism in 1994 as the Political Editor of New Delhi Television (NDTV). He was the Managing Editor of both NDTV 24X7 and NDTV India and was responsible for overseeing the news policy for both. He hosted popular shows like The Big Fight on NDTV.
He quit NDTV on 17 April 2005 to start his own company, Global Broadcast News (GBN), in collaboration with the American giant CNN and Raghav Bahl's TV18. The latter broadcasts the Indian Edition (in English) of CNBC called CNBC-TV18, the Hindi consumer channel, CNBC Awaaz and an international channel, SAW. The new channel with Sardesai as the Editor-in-Chief was named CNN-IBN. It went on air on 17 December 2005. Channel 7 has also come under this umbrella after Sardesai's company bought a 46 percent stake in the channel. Channel 7 was later renamed IBN7.
On 29 May 2014, Reliance Industries Ltd announced it would be acquiring control of Network 18 Media & Investments Ltd, the parent of CNN-IBN, IBN7, and CNBC-TV18. The board of RIL approved funding of up to Rs. 40 billion (US$500 million) to Independent Media Trust (IMT), of which RIL is the sole beneficiary, for the acquisition of control in Network 18 and its subsidiaries. Subsequently, on 1 July 2014, Sardesai, editor-in-chief of CNN-IBN, along with the entire founding team — editorial and managerial — resigned from the Network18 group.
Below are the excerpts from Rajdeep’s interview:
Ismail Zaorez: Journalism doesn't seem to be a very good career choice anymore in India. While the monetary aspects and compensation have increased over the last few years, job satisfaction is a distant dream. Having been a journalist/editor for the last three decades, what’s your take on this?
Rajdeep Sardesai: I hate to disappoint young journalists by saying journalism isn't the same now. I was 23 when I joined this wonderful profession and I had a choice of being a lawyer, I was trained as a lawyer, but I chose journalism because I was completely passionate about the news and current affairs and I hate to ask young journalists to not choose journalism so many years later. I still believe if you are passionate about news if you are really passionate to the point of being obsessed with the news, journalism provides you with a great ringside view of what’s happening around you. I do realize that things have changed and unfortunately what was once this, sort of idealistic profession, where you actually believe you could make a difference however small, has become a business, it’s become commercial and thereby some of the joy of the journalism is gone and it has almost become just another job. When I started off with a journalism job I was very fortunate throughout my career to work in newsrooms that were, for the most part, very open and accommodating. But yes, younger journalists find it much more difficult but I would still say if you have a passion for news there is no reason why you should not at least try to become a journalist.
Ismail Zaorez: Most of the experts and pundits today believe media has failed the country in the last decade, and it’s been the major reason that the country is the in the state that we are in now. We see hate, bigotry, crime against women, and political discourse. Do you think the media had a role to play in that?
Rajdeep Sardesai: I am going to say the media has perhaps failed to fulfill some of its obligations in a democracy which is to hold the powerful accountable. And this is not just true for Delhi and Maharashtra or any other specific part of the country, this has been the case all across the country. But let me also say this, don’t blame the media for everything that is wrong in society I won't accept it. Crimes against women are the failure of institutions. Don't please put all the blames on the media, no. Media as I said large sections of it have failed us. But please don't put the blames on the media there.
Ismail Zaorez: Do you think the mainstream media, newspapers especially English and Hindi, barring the regional media have surrendered to the establishment completely in the last eight years of Modi governance? If it is true, then do you think money was the only reason or there were other reasons for their surrendering to the establishment?
Rajdeep Sardesai: You know, let me just add this, even before 2014, the media was with the establishment. You know we make it out to be as if everything that went wrong with the media began in 2014 that I find very difficult to accept. Having said that, certainly when you have such a powerful sort of government in the Centre, they are perhaps in a better position to control media directly and they have been extremely successful in doing so, they have made sure that the executive controls large sections of the media and earlier as I said it’s not just true of Delhi, Maharashtra. It is true for all the state capital and state government also do it. And I think the media because our business model has failed or is struggling at the moment, are more vulnerable to government pressure. I think that also has happened in the last decade, 15 years when the whole business model especially of television and news media and print media and digital is all changed. So it has made it much easier for the government controls it.
Ismail Zaorez: In the 2019 elections we saw most of the news channels, indirectly campaign for the BJP or the Modi government and they went soft on them if not say they campaigned but they went soft on the government. How do you see that and how do you see that in the coming elections, we have a general election in another one year and a half, how do you think the media should ideally work?
Rajdeep Sardesai: Here I will not disagree with you, I think particularly in the way the media increasingly covers politics and political parties. We give disproportionate space to those in power and less space to those in the opposition, that happened in the 2019 elections and I see it happening even in the state election and I fear it could happen in 2024 again. You see the belief is that whoever is in power, whoever is in the government is your main advertiser and that’s why you tend to be on their side. Vast sections of the media are very conscious of not upsetting those in power and therefore they get disproportionate power I think this could happen in 2024 and I think the media needs to ask itself why did it - I keep saying this, - we have to ask ourselves why did we become journalists and once we can find the real answer to that or honest answer to that maybe we will be able to correct ourselves.
Ismail Zaorez: Alternative news outlets who run on subscription money backed by people, say it’s the business model of a major newspaper and TV channels that compels them to be on the toe-line of the ruling party. Is this assessment correct? Do agree with that?
Rajdeep Sardesai: I think as I said I agree with that. I think the business model has broken and the business model has its stance today which is advertiser-driven and government advertising has often, whether it's national or regional media. Let’s not say that regional media is any different, in fact, regional Media is even more susceptible because they are entirely dependent on state government revenue at times which makes it much more difficult to create truly independent media in this structure.
Ismail Zaorez: What's your take on the idea of people-funded media outlets? Are they only solutions to counter Modi media is it a practical solution considering the fact Indians are yet to get accustomed to pay for news?
Rajdeep Sardesai: I think - it's a very good question. I think that one of the big problems is that we are not willing to pay for news and thereby it becomes very difficult for our sustainable model. Look, the BBC is able to do the kind of programming it does because it’s the British taxpayers who are effectively funding it therefore it can be a genuine public broadcaster. In America, people are willing to pay for subscriptions, particularly for NYT, Washington Post, and the top papers. Here, people want everything free. Now, if you pay peanuts, u will get Monkeys - so a lot of the problem with the media is because of the cost, the model that has been created virtually incentivizes a viewer or a reader not to pay for news it becomes very difficult then to move to a subscription. We should find ways in which you can create such content that people will be compelled to subscribe to you. I think that really is the answer and crowdsourcing and I keep saying why can't u know supporting media to be a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), if ten groups of ten business groups contributed ten crores each, you could have 100 crores tomorrow.
Ismail Zaorez: In the last few years we have seen many prominent journalists, in some way you as well, you were objective and critical of the government and were sidelined and they have been put out from the mainstream media. Why could this not be prevented from happening, why is journalism not so independent today?
Rajdeep Sardesai: Look I am very clear in my mind, I believe that a journalist at the end of the day continues. I think journalists also should realize we are neither activists nor propagandists I am not here to run some campaign, I am not here to run some Anti-Modi campaign or anything I will, where Modi has done well I think we must have the courage to also commend the government, we must have the honesty and the capacity to confront and question the government. So I think the challenge is to retain our objectivity in a polarized world. Today what the world asks wherever we are now whether it’s a newsroom or society, Are you the Pro-Modi or the Anti-Modi, u know are you Pro-Rahul or Anti-Rahul? I would be critical of Mr. Modi where he fails and critical of Congress where it fails and Rahul Gandhi, we must be able to be unsparing in our criticism of all and be able to have the capacity also compliment people when they do the right thing.
Ismail Zaorez: Regarding these remarks of you I just want to continue and ask if you don’t believe or if you don’t agree with the idea that it is high time that journalists should pick a side, many of the journalists believe that it is time to pick a side because things have gone out of hand right now and you know it’s this or that and there is no grey area now. Do you not believe in that?
Rajdeep Sardesai: No, I don't believe in this. No, I am not here to pick a side. I'm not a player you see you become a player when you pick a side I believe that the only side I believe side you must be on is the side of honesty and integrity and truth so I think that's important so I will stand with the victim, whoever is the victim in whichever circumstance if it’s in Bengal and there is a state atrocity there please stand against it if it is in Gujarat stand up against it doesn't mean you have to do Bengal any different from Gujarat. I don't want to pick a side at the moment, I want to pick a side of the constitution. If the constitution is violated and the victim is identified please stand with the constitution and the victim whoever is the perpetrator whichever party or community they belong to.
Ismail Zaorez: Many of the journalists, this comes in the wake of recent developments as well, have joined, YouTube as their alternative thing after being sidelined from the mainstream media. How much of an impact do you think this YouTube thing can make compared to the reach and popularity of the legacy media houses?
Rajdeep Sardesai: Again that's a good question, I think YouTube media is also important, I don't want to fit one against the other saying mainstream media remains still a legacy, mainstream media cannot be discounted, it still has a lot of influence. The journalists should keep fighting the good fight. And then they'll get to a point from where they'll either have to withdraw from it or either to fight on within it. I have chosen to try and fight on who knows what tomorrow brings. Maybe if tomorrow I find that the fight is no longer possible I may withdraw and do something with my life. But, at the same time as I said YouTube channels that are set by journalists of integrity and repute have also an important role to play there are different audiences out there. But my worry is if everyone leaves mainstream media and goes to YouTube channels, who is going to then solve the crisis of mainstream media? If we have given up on the mainstream media then I guess the debate is over then we might as well shut up and go home and start YouTube channels.
Ismail Zaorez: You as a viewer, not as a journalist, haven't you given up on the mainstream media yet? After looking at the things that are going on around and people doing journalism in a way that is very pro of establishment.
Rajdeep Sardesai: As a viewer, I mean I still read my newspapers but I don't watch much TV I think a large section of prime-time news TV, in particular, has lost its credibility. But I still believe that we must fight the good fight that doesn't mean that we must give up.
Ismail Zaorez: In spite of all the awarenesses, trolling, and calling out news channels, these prime-time journalists, or who people consider the Godi- Media, continue to do what they are doing for last so many years and a big number of people seem to be influenced by them and their propaganda. What is the way out for the general citizens who watch some of the prime time every day in the evening?
Rajdeep Sardesai: You have to have people who consistently expose them, please keep exposing them in the forum you have. We are in the age of technology, technology allows everyone to be a citizen journalist. Hopefully one day we will have a citizen journalism channel where every citizen has the ability to press a button and maybe be able to have heard his or her voice in one form or the other
Ismail Zaorez: It’s a personal question. A Lot of people believe that post-2014 you have gone soft. And not pro-government or anti-government u have just been there without taking a hard stance as you used to when you were in NDTV. Most of people say the Rajdeep Sardesai today is not the Rajdeep Sardesai of the NDTV and you are just around.
Rajdeep Sardesai: No I, look when a hard stance has to be taken, I take it. You cannot judge me by my tweets. Let me be clear, I am not an activist nor am I a propagandist. And I am not going to, as I said earlier to you also, take sides in this debate. This debate is not a debate to take sides on. So if people feel Rajdeep Sardesai is not taking our sides, they are right. But if the people say I have not taken a tough stand then I disagree with them. The government of the day sees me as someone who’s taking them on. The only way people who look at it is precise because I am not willing to take sides on every issue- I am not going to bat for one side, sorry. So if that mean that have I moderated my positions? People are entitled to their views on that. But my own view is that it's important in the times in which we deal to hold the political center. To me, that’s the most important space in the country which has been lost. We are caught in left-right battles and I don’t want to be caught in that left-right battles.
Ismail Zaorez: You have been subjected to trolls on social media, sometimes you get bashed by both sides. Both sides are in disagreement with you, sometimes congress people will disagree with you, and sometimes BJP people will disagree with you and they will troll you. How do you tackle this as a person? As a human being does it get affected your mind on your mental health? And what kind of advice would you give to young journalists facing the same thing or will face in the future?
Rajdeep Sardesai: Initially troubled me. The kind of personal attacks that take place. But I am very clear my conscience is clean. I can assure you that I have never tried in 30 years of journalism to willfully try and do something wrong and against my conscience. It gets me in trouble but so be it and if everyone is criticizing you, you must be doing something right.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
SRH qualifies for IPL playoff after rain washes out match against GT
Hyderabad, May 16: Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday qualified for the Indian Premier League play-offs after rain washed out their IPL match against Gujarat Titans here without a ball being bowled.
SRH thus became the third team to make the cut after following Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, who are currently occupying the top two places in the standings.
The Sunrisers received one point to take their tally to 15 points with one match to go. They will face Punjab Kings, who have already been eliminated, on May 19 in their last league assignment.
GT, the last year's runners-up and 2022 champions, were knocked out of the play-off race after their previous match was also abandoned due to rain. They thus end the season with 12 points from 14 matches.
The toss didn't happen at scheduled time of 7 pm due to rain and wet outfield. The rain intensified before settling into a steady shower as the covers and outfield stayed covered.
The cut-off time for a five-over game was 10:56 PM, which meant the drizzle needed to stop for mop-up to begin by around 10:15pm but with rain showing no signs of abating, the official decided to abandon the match.
It is the second game to be called off in this IPL, because of rain and wet outfield.
Four teams -- Chennai Super Kings (14), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (12), Delhi Capitals (14) and Lucknow Super Giants (12) -- are still in fray for the battle for the last spot.
If LSG win against Mumbai Indians on Friday, they will move to 14 points to stay mathematically alive but CSK will seal the spot if they beat RCB or the game is washed out on Saturday.
If RCB beat CSK by at least 18 runs or 11 balls to spare then they will grab the fourth available spot on the basis of net run-rate as they would be on 14 points, same as DC, CSK and LSG (if they win).
๐๐ช๐ฃ๐ง๐๐จ๐๐ง๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ are through to #TATAIPL 2024 Playoffs ๐งก
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 16, 2024
Which will be the final team to qualify ๐ค#TATAIPL | #SRHvGT | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/6Z7h5kiI4o
