This week on Hafta, Abhinandan Sekhri, Raman Kirpal, Manisha Pande and Mehraj D Lone of Newslaundry are joined by Chander Shekhar Luthra, seasoned sports journalist and secretary of the Press Club of India.

Talking about how sports journalism in India has been reduced to access journalism, Chander rues the passing of a time when “there was space for everyone”, from those writing about and investigating sports administration to those interviewing celebrity sportspeople. Today’s media platforms and their audiences, Chander argues, are not as receptive to serious discussions around sports and their administration.

Complaining that the parliament has become dysfunctional, Abhinandan says the endless logjam and ruckus is revealing about what political leaders think of this central institution of democracy.

Criticising the media’s coverage, or the lack of it, of the current political firmament, Abhinandan says, “The word of journalists means something. It is just that now it doesn’t mean anything.” Manisha opines that “the media isn’t putting any pressure” on the ruling establishment.

The panel also discuss the mainstreaming of anti-Muslim hatred, the culture of impunity for people spreading communal bigotry, the war in Afghanistan, and more.

Watch.

Text by Ruchi Shahagadkar.

Hafta letters: Relevance of democracy, Afghanistan war, Pegasus snooping

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