On this week’s episode, along with the regular Hafta gang of Abhinandan Sekhri, Manisha Pande, Anand Vardhan and Raman Kirpal, we’re joined by Sayani Dasgupta from New York who has been a Newslaundry subscriber for the past two years. The panel kicks off by discussing MJ Akbar’s resignation and his defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani.

Sayani tells us how #MeToo has not reached industries which are not media-driven. Anand and Manisha believe there could be a backlash to this movement once the euphoria settles down. But on the positive side, it’s started a conversation and has brought men to behave.

On Sabarimala, Raman tells us how the state government of Kerala has failed to maintain the law and order situation and has instead allowed a clear violation of the Supreme Court order. The panel also discusses female reporters being attacked and how it might affect the future of female reporters being sent to conflict zones.

Moving on, the Hafta gang discusses whether it’s really a big deal to rename Allahabad to Prayagraj. Anand tells us the history of renaming cities and how it’s a part of appeasement politics.

The team also talks about the recent drama at Hyatt Regency in Delhi. Raman and Anand tell us more on the normalised VIP culture and muscle show in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Listen up! There’s more.

A Review of NL Hafta by Dhiraj, Shipra and Rahul

#NLDhulai: Abhinandan, you made some crazy sociological predictions

#NLDhulai: Abhinandan’s train of thought seems flawed

References

Let’s Talk About: Objectivity in Journalism

#MeToo is great for feminism but should not become a moral force

Can #MeToo lead to a political party for and by women?

The right to nuisance value: Pandeyji ka badka bhai hain

Radiolab – K-poparazzi

America’s Dilemma: Censuring M.B.S. and Not Halting Saudi Reforms

Recommendations

Raman Kirpal

My Fiancé Jamal Khashoggi Was a Lonely Patriot

Anand Vardhan

Annapurna Devi and her music of silence

Ram Ki Shakti Pooja by Suryakant Tripathi Nirala

Sayani Dasgupta

Hostile Climate

Deliverance from 27,000 Feet

Manisha Pande

For 70 Years, the New York Times Has Heralded Saudi Leaders As “Reformers”

Abhinandan Sekhri

No easy endings

This podcast has been produced by Kartik Nijhawan, recorded by Anil Kumar and audio editing was done by Satish Kumar.

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