Rajadeep discusses politics with FLO members

Statewise alliances can only check BJP, the party which Rajdeep Desai, well-known TV News Anchor, and Author described as an election machine, in coming general elections in the year 2019.  

Regional parties have a role to play in Delhi in future said Padma Shri Awardee Rajdeep Desai, who was the guest speaker at an interactive session “Media in News” organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation, Hyderabad Chapter recently in Hyderabad.

Addressing 500 and above crowd for little over two and half hours, Rajdeep Desai gave an elaborative address to gathering and there after patiently answered to a wide variety of questions asked by Kamini Saraf, the moderator.  

There is a beast out in the jungle.  Earlier it was internet, and now it is social media.  The 2019 General Elections will be fought on WhatsApp and not in conventional maidan(ground), he said.  

He described current day journalism as ‘kidki’(window) journalism.  He also described current media scenario as Ravan School of Journalism.   It is not the news that matters today. What it matters the most today are views. If you have an opinion, it goes on the front page, he said.  

The one who shouts louder than others in the studio is the news anchor.  The anchor needs to outsmart the guest in the studio and also embarrass him/her.  TV Studios or News Rooms have now become court rooms or trial halls.  There is a very little space allocated to news, and more space is dedicated to views.  

Last time I was in Hyderabad two months back for India Today Conclave. That is when I had interviewed the Chief Minister K. Chandra Sekhar Rao. I believe it was his first TV interview in the last four years ever since he became the Chief Minister.  No democratically elected leader does that.  

It is only done by rulers such as Jayalalitha, Mamata Banerjee and Navin Patnaik whom KCR is following.   Women as vote bank is not recognised by many politicians.  But, Modi and Mamata are very clever in spotting it and have recognized this and have been addressing their concerns, he said.