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EP-8 | Arnab Goswami, Founder, Owner and Editor in chief of the Republic Media Network

ANI News・103 minutes read

Arnab Goswami discusses his career trajectory, dedication to impactful news reporting, and commitment to integrity in the face of adversity. He emphasizes the importance of standing by one's convictions, the need for ethical journalism, and the evolving landscape of the media industry.

Insights

Arnab Goswami recounts a harrowing incident of being physically assaulted during an arrest, showcasing his resilience and refusal to compromise on his principles despite adversity.
Goswami's journey from growing up in Guwahati to becoming a prominent figure in Indian television news emphasizes the unexpected trajectory of his career and his dedication to understanding the operations behind the scenes.
Times Now, under Goswami's leadership, disrupted the news industry with its innovative and aggressive brand of journalism, emphasizing the importance of beating competitors to drive journalistic standards and earn respect.
Arnab Goswami's commitment to impactful news coverage and conviction-driven journalism, even in the face of pressure and threats, highlights the importance of standing by one's convictions and not compromising integrity.

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Recent questions

What incident led to Arnab Goswami's arrest?
Being physically assaulted during an arrest.
What is Arnab Goswami's approach to journalism?
Emphasizing conflict, diverse perspectives, and genuine debate.
How did Arnab Goswami transform television news?
By launching Times Now and challenging editorial agendas.
What does Arnab Goswami criticize in journalism?
Polarized 9 pm debates and lack of innovation.
How does Arnab Goswami view the future of Indian journalism?
Optimistic for transformation by 2025-2026.

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Summary

00:00

Arnab Goswami: Journey to Prominence

The speaker recounts a harrowing incident of being physically assaulted during an arrest, detailing being hit with weapons, assaulted in the crotch, and locked up in a jail without shoes.
The speaker mentions not compromising in 2011 under pressure from the Congress Government while being the editor of Times Now, highlighting a commitment to integrity.
A podcast with Smitha Prakash is mentioned, with Arnab Goswami as the guest, along with Ishan Prakash, who started his career under Goswami at Times Now.
Goswami discusses his fan following, envy, hate, jealousy, and adoration, emphasizing his focus on his work and not getting distracted by external opinions.
The conversation delves into Goswami's background, from growing up in Guwahati to his time at Delhi University, highlighting his unexpected journey to becoming a prominent figure in Indian television news.
Goswami reflects on his career trajectory, from starting out in print journalism to transitioning to television, mentioning his interest in understanding the operations and organization behind the scenes.
The speaker provides a detailed timeline of his career, starting from his father's Army background to his education, entry into journalism, and eventual move to television, including pivotal moments and encounters with key figures in the industry.
Goswami discusses his approach to news reporting, emphasizing the importance of conflict, diverse perspectives, and genuine debate in creating engaging and impactful content.
The speaker reflects on his time at NDTV, particularly the show "News Night," where he introduced a more confrontational and debate-focused format, setting the stage for his later innovations at Times Now.
Goswami describes the process of launching Times Now, securing investments, and building the channel from scratch, showcasing his dedication to transforming the landscape of television news.

15:05

"Times Now: Revolutionizing News Reporting with Conviction"

The format of the debate for Times Now began to take shape around 2007-2008, following the launch of the channel in 2006.
The competitive environment shifted with Times Now's aggressive brand of journalism, causing disruption in the news industry.
Arnab Goswami emphasized the importance of beating competitors in news coverage to earn respect and drive journalistic standards.
Arnab Goswami aimed to bring heart back to news reporting, highlighting the prevalent corruption, lack of commitment, and self-importance in Delhi news circles.
The decision to move from Delhi to Mumbai was influenced by the need to launch a news channel in Mumbai and enjoy the distance from the Delhi news environment.
Times Now was a pioneer in taking live assets to villages and towns, showcasing real people's stories and bringing a sense of purpose and conviction to journalism.
Arnab Goswami's focus on impactful news coverage, such as the Prince story and 26/11 attacks, led to a resurgence of serious news reporting on television.
Times Now's coverage challenged the editorial agenda of Hindi channels in Delhi, steering away from sensationalism and focusing on impactful news stories.
Arnab Goswami emphasized the importance of conviction in journalism, driving passion and purpose in reporting, even if it meant taking risks and facing criticism.
Arnab Goswami maintained that he never backtracked on a story, believing in his convictions and the importance of standing by the truth, even if it takes time for validation.

30:27

Unwavering journalist faces adversity with integrity

The speaker reflects on various stories they have covered, emphasizing the importance of not backtracking on their reporting.
They discuss the strategy of framing stories to ensure impact, using the example of rebranding a housing scam story to highlight political deceit.
The speaker asserts their commitment to not backtracking on stories, even when faced with pressure or threats.
They recount facing challenges and backlash for their reporting, including going to jail but maintaining their stance.
The speaker highlights the importance of standing by one's convictions and not compromising in the face of adversity.
They narrate a specific incident of being physically assaulted and mistreated during an arrest in November 2020.
Despite the harrowing experience, the speaker maintains their dignity and refusal to compromise on their principles.
They question the motives behind the extreme measures taken against them and reflect on the impact of such actions.
The speaker challenges the media and others involved in their ordeal to reflect on their actions and the consequences of their choices.
They conclude by emphasizing the uniqueness of their experience and the need for integrity and resilience in the face of challenges.

46:55

Journalist's Arrest and Ordeal in Alibag

Arrived in Alibag and was taken to the police station to be produced in court as an accused.
Witnessed drones flying over the police station and the town, capturing every moment.
Experienced a high level of preparation for arrest, similar to catching notorious criminals.
Faced armed individuals surrounding him, ready to push him back if he moved.
Endured intense interrogation sessions with police, feeling pressure to break him.
Showed physical injuries to a judge, revealing bruises from alleged assaults.
Refused to compromise on his journalism despite threats and pressure.
Recalled sleepless nights in jail due to fear and presence of reptiles on the ceiling.
Shared food with fellow inmates, becoming popular for his generosity.
Released on bail to a crowd outside the jail, facing potential security threats.

01:00:51

Media landscape: ethics, nationalism, and idealism.

Witnessed a large crowd being pushed back by policemen on the road, leading to an emotional moment where people switched on their phone lights and waved, signifying victory.
Had to go to the hospital due to oozing blood and open wounds from injuries sustained, but was unable to drive as hundreds of people followed with bikes and cars, showing overwhelming support.
Felt the victory in his heart despite the legal battles ahead, emphasizing the importance of public opinion and the attempt to crush them.
Highlighted the unethical competition in the media industry, mentioning personal attacks and the need for reminders to competitors about their actions.
Stressed on the importance of nationalism in journalism, attributing it to a sense of duty to oppose those working against the country's interests.
Addressed the criticism of labeling people as anti-national, defending the need to question those deemed as bad people.
Mentioned the lack of acknowledgment of certain events or individuals in the media, questioning the fear behind speaking out against certain entities.
Emphasized the simplicity of his journalism approach, rooted in values and a clear stance against those deemed detrimental to the country.
Reflected on the loss of idealism in the journalism profession, expressing gratitude for those who remind him of the purpose and values in his work.
Acknowledged the evolving nature of the media landscape, expressing excitement for the future and the opportunity to contribute positively to journalism.

01:16:43

"Journalism: Evolving, Innovating, Global Presence"

Advises against calling others names in journalism, promoting purposeful work.
Engages in technology to reach people, developing new products.
Encourages future journalists to experiment and find their own path in journalism.
Criticizes the focus on polarized 9 pm debates in news coverage.
Highlights the need for journalism to evolve and explore new forms of storytelling.
Criticizes the lack of innovation in print media, suggesting it missed opportunities for reinvention.
Discusses the changing landscape of news media, blending video and text formats.
Advocates for Indian journalism to have a global voice and presence.
Plans to establish the first Global News organization through Republic.
Expresses commitment to journalism and guiding young journalists, rejecting a political career.

01:31:30

Journalist advocates for professional independence and balance.

The speaker finds solace and relaxation at 7:30 PM, considering it their "me time" after a day of various responsibilities.
They discuss the changing dynamics between journalists and politicians, emphasizing the need for a clear separation and reduced proximity.
The speaker criticizes the past practice of journalists having close ties with the government, highlighting the negative impact on the country.
They express satisfaction with the current distance between journalists and government officials, advocating for self-sufficiency in journalism.
The speaker reveals that they unwind by walking and listening to music, except for ghazals, to maintain balance and calm.
A specific incident on a flight where the speaker remained composed despite being harassed is mentioned, attributing their equanimity to watching a film.
The speaker reflects on a significant interview with Rahul Gandhi, noting the repetitive nature of the discussion and the lack of engagement from the interviewee.
They stress the importance of conducting interviews professionally and without expectations of future interactions, focusing on the quality of the current conversation.
The speaker addresses the boycott of their channel by certain political parties, attributing it to individuals seeking favor with their superiors rather than genuine concerns.
They dismiss the significance of political parties boycotting their channel, highlighting their independence and past experiences of being shunned by various parties.

01:46:36

India's Media Transformation by 2025

The narrative in Delhi is perceived as being stuck in the past, with individuals seeking validation from Western media, a trend that may take time to change due to the need for a shift in values and societal norms.
The speaker predicts that significant changes in India, particularly in media and society, will be fully evident around 2025, with a cyclical change in journalism taking time to permeate the country.
The speaker expresses optimism for India's transformation by 2025-2026, attributing this to a combination of factors including the digital revolution and the need to instill strong nationalistic values in the younger generation.
A sense of decentralization is noted in the country, with a prediction of a substantial change post-2025, leading to a transformed India by 2035, potentially accelerating the country's path to becoming a superpower.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of Indian media moving away from internal conflicts and focusing on serving the country's interests, highlighting the need for a shift in mindset towards cooperation and shared goals.

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