A reporters’ podcast about what made news and what shouldn’t have.
In this episode, host Snigdha Sharma is joined by Newslaundry’s Ayush Tiwari to discuss the television ratings scam and the WhatsApp chats between Republic TV’s editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and Partho Dasgupta, the former CEO of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC).
Ayush begins by pointing out that the chats revealed something that everyone already suspected—that behind all the nationalistic clamour on Indian television news, there is nothing but a network of opportunists and middle men who line their pockets and buy influence.
Through the length of the discussion, Ayush cites his recent media reports and goes on to highlight how BARC, a government-mandated body, has been compromised at different levels. From Republic TV and Zee reaching millions of viewers illegally to a former minister in the information and broadcasting ministry allegedly “keeping aside” a multi-crore complaint against Republic TV, Ayush explains just how deep-rooted the corruption is.
The duo also discuss the most shocking and the funniest bits of the WhatsApp chats.
All this and a lot more as they talk about what made news this week, what didn’t, and what shouldn’t have.
Tune in!
Recommendations
Ayush
Thank you and good night, India
Thank you Rahane and Co, in gloomy times we needed a blissful moment like this
Snigdha
TRP scam: BARC's TV audience measurement system is rotten
How Republic TV and Zee Media ‘illegally’ reached millions of viewers
Produced by Stallan Nayak, edited by Samarendra K Dash.
The media must be free and fair, uninfluenced by corporate or state interests. That's why you, the public, need to pay to keep news free.
ContributeGeneral elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans together to focus on the issues that really matter to the voter. From political funding to battleground states, media coverage to 10 years of Modi, choose a project you would like to support and power our journalism.
Ground reportage is central to public interest journalism. Only readers like you can make it possible. Will you?