Mangalore : It is Roles Reversed for Rajdeep and Sagarika


Mangalore : It is Roles Reversed for Rajdeep and Sagarika 
by Florine Roche
Pics : Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
 
Mangalore, Mar 7: Eminent media couple CNN-IBN's Rajdeep Sardesai and his wife Sagarika Ghosh were in Mangalore yesterday to unveil the portrait of cricketer late Dilip Sardesai at the Hall of Fame at World Konkani Centre at Shaktinagar.  After the formal function a media interaction was arranged over dinner and the media couple answered a range of questions fired by the journos that ranged from the need of a regulatory body to the media to the control of media by businessmen.  The couple also answered personal questions like what channel their children watch, to what news channels the couple watch other than CNN-IBN which they run to paid news and sting operations.   But they opposed the idea of a government controlled regulatory body which would pave the way for indirect control over the media by the government.    


Rajdeep Sardesai was quite forthcoming when he said that a statutory regulatory body was the only alternative to exercise some control over the media which has failed to have self restraint in its coverage of news.  When asked whether he as chief of Editors’ Guild could do something about regulating the media he said “I can be own responsibility for what we broadcast in our channel.  But I cannot impose it on other channels.  The only way out is a to have a regulatory body comprising people from within and outside media with powers to impose fine or other measures that compels the channels to observe self restraint.  Citing the recent example of fire in Carlton Towers in Bangalore recently where some channels showed the video clippings of people jumping to death he explained “when we saw the clippings we sent out messages not to broadcast such clippings which would hurt the sentiments of relatives of the victims and also others involved. Despite this some Kannada channels went on showing them and I could do nothing about it”.  


He was quite vocal when he said the media was responsible for catapulting people like Pramod Muthalik and Raj Thackeray to fame saying “without media these people would not have risen to the 15 minute fame they have acquired which they don’t deserve”.  When asked whether 24X7 news channel was a good idea he said that it was both a good and bad idea as it keeps them in tenterhooks often forcing channels to go for sensationalism to providing the so called ‘breaking news’ which all channels resort to in order to grab viewers attention, which is of course not  good. 

The couple lamented that competition has failed to improve the quality of the programmes broadcast on news channels.  “It is really worrying to note that the quality has deteriorated instead of improving”.  Sagarika also expressed apprehensions about the deteriorating standards of students of journalism in the country and said the freshers have not been taught the basic skills of a journalist which has in a way contributed to the deteriorating standards of broadcasting. 


Reacting to a query related to the sting operations carried out by the television channels Rajdeep pointed out that it is worrying to note that so far sting operations are confined only to politicians and corporate houses have been left out of sung operations.  It does not mean that corporate houses free of corruption.  He said it could be because some journalists are fanning to the whims of the corporate houses.  Rajdeep also expressed his fears on the growing tendency of business houses and politicians getting control of the media.  Giving the example of Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Panjab where politicians and businessmen having media control and stated that it is not an encouraging trend as the media may not be able to function freely and fearlessly.  


When asked in what way his channel was different from others Rajdeep stated that he never claimed to be different from others.  At the same time he felt that the channels should be independent and neutral (truthful) as far as possible. 

Sagarika lamented the fact that despite their channel not patronizing any political party their channel has come to be identified as “pro-Congress”.  “I am unable to pinpoint the exact reason of getting this tagline when we have been equally vehement in criticizing the Congress like any other political party, Sagarika muttered under the breath greatly irritated by what she felt was unfair to brand them as pro-Congress.  

The couple agreed that while they keep a tab on their own channels side by side they watch Hindi news channels to keep a watch on ‘what is happening’ as they felt Hindi channels are  trifle quick when it comes to getting hold of news within no time.  Rajdeep emphasized the role of local language channels in future and said CNN-IBN was all set to launch its Kannada channel but the economic downturn put a break on their grandiose plans.  They however did not rule out the possibility of starting the Kannada language channel in the near future.  

The couple said their children prefer watching their own favourite channels. “Our son watches sports channels and Animal Planet as he prefers watching animals there than watching these animals (referring to them)” he said in lightervein and our daughter too has her own preferences when it comes to watching channels”.  

Rajdeep denied his son had any plans to follow his parents saying that his son has been showing interest in medicine and there is no chance of ‘like father like son’.  

The couple enjoyed the traditional dinner served on the occasion and they highly appreciated the fish and the prawn curry served for dinner. Sagarika said the taste of the fish curry would goad her to come to Mangalore often.  The couple also had a great appreciation for the press.  

It was indeed a fruitful evening and the media too had fun in having a lively and thought provoking discussion considering the fact that the people on the other side belonged to their own ilk.   

  

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Comment on this article

  • Zoharab, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 10 2010

    Roland that is excellent, barka dutt does not allow anybody to speak,other day she asked some Q to Dr.Zakir Naik & when he was above to answer, she never allowed

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  • Norbert Rego, Mangalore/Mumbai

    Tue, Mar 09 2010

    Rajdeep Sardesai is a man of calibre. I have worked with him in The Times of of India, Mumbai. He hates all hues of communalism.

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  • Shridhara Achar, Puttur/Bangalore

    Tue, Mar 09 2010

    Rajdeep is disciple of Prannoy Roy who attracted viewers to first to Doordarshan through his vivid poll analysis and then through his owm NDTV.
    No doubt Rajdeep has grown as an eminent TV anchor. Himself and Sagarika make an ideal and rare media couple.

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  • EVANS C ALEX, FALNIR MANGALORE

    Mon, Mar 08 2010

    No doubt Mr.Rajdeep sardesai is a journalist par excellent, he along withMr.Arnab goswamy of Times n other noted enlish language news media journalists owe their present status to DR. PRONOY ROY OF NDTV.

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  • Keshav, Puttur

    Mon, Mar 08 2010

    Nasar, have you seen Mr. Rajdeep taking interview of Mr. Narendra Modi after he won the assembly election (post Godra incident)? If not, just try to get it from some where. You can see his facial expression and that will best describe what Rajdeep is.

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  • Veena Pinto, Shirva / Panjim, Goa

    Mon, Mar 08 2010

    Rajdeep Sardesai is the best journalist. That is why I always prefer to watch CNN IBN news. Very straight forward man. Nice to know Sagarika Ghosh is his wife. They make a very good pair.

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  • Roland,

    Mon, Mar 08 2010

    Barka Dutt is an excellent jouranlist, but the only drawback is that she does not allow the other person to complete what he/she has to say.

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  • shivram, mangalore

    Sun, Mar 07 2010

    Hi everybody, RAJDEEP is my most favourite journalist. He along with SAGARIKA, picturise the whole day in an hour. Its an art of conveying the news to the people in a more appealing way. Kudos to these journalists couples. By the By we Mangaloreans must be proud irrespective of caste and creed that Mangalore is the most favourite place to visit. The hospitality and homely nature appeals to all

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  • nasar, mangalore

    Sun, Mar 07 2010

    Rajdeep and barkha are the two persons who brought godhra riots in front of public

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  • D.M.D' Souza, Bantwal

    Sun, Mar 07 2010

    It was a pleasnat surprise to see u both & to know u are couple too. U both make awesome couple. Hope your kids will follow u in future.

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  • saud, suralpady /KSA

    Sun, Mar 07 2010

    Stop the hanky -panky journalism and follow the trajectory of Rajdeep Sardesai & Burkha Dutt and carry the honest journalism and create good atmosphere at least Mangalore.

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  • Kevin Monis, Mangalore/Dubai

    Sun, Mar 07 2010

    Rajdeep is literally my Idol. The CNN IBN channel has been one of the best when it comes to giving quality news and news which speaks the truth. Its is important we have more people like this couple. If you see the quality of the news channels these days its really irritating. Some channels have so bugging tone and come up with news just to attract viewers. This is where people like Muthalik, Thakeray get their opportunity for 15mins fame!

    And yes it is unfair to call CNN-IBN " Pro Congress " for just a simple fact that there are more vital topic to pick on the BJP or other parties. But doing so they even frequently raise the axe towards congress and its alliance!

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  • Aadil Khan, Kasaragod/Saudi Arabia

    Sun, Mar 07 2010

    Rajdeep, I am one of your fans. I see you from the days you were an anchor in NDTV 24x7. Your debate, presentation and cross discussions are just fantastic. I wish your TV channels CNN IBN have bright future and the media coverage be truthful and act like a weapon against the social injustice.

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  • shahnawaz kukkikatte, dubai/udipi

    Sun, Mar 07 2010

    One of the best refined journalists couples. Professionals. They can uphold the true spirit of journalism. Long live these journalist couples

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  • Mitwa, Mysore

    Sun, Mar 07 2010

    I rate Rajdeep Sardesai and Barkha Dutt (NDTV) as India's Number One TV News Anchors.

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  • M.Mathias, Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 07 2010

    Mr.Rajdeep Sardesai is a very good journalist. His native is Margaon, Goa.We want more & more people like him to visit Mangalore.

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