22 Jun. 24: Eminent journalist Ravish Kumar delivered a scathing critique of Indian mainstream media while accepting the prestigious Peabody Award on June 9. Alongside filmmaker Vinay Shukla, Kumar was honored for the documentary While We Watched, which chronicles his challenges as an independent journalist in India.
The documentary follows Kumar over two years, capturing his struggles with personal threats, declining ratings at NDTV, staffing losses, and deeper ethical dilemmas. The Peabody Awards described the film as a “powerful defense of independent journalism” and a “poignant portrait of everyday courage in the face of radicalized politics and publics.”
The awards ceremony took place in Los Angeles, where Kumar used his acceptance speech to address the state of Indian media.
“Most of what is Indian mainstream media today is a disgrace to democracy and humanity,” he asserted.
He condemned journalists who spread hate and lies, incite mob violence, and act as government cheerleaders, stating that such actions turn media into “an instrument to kill democracy.”
Kumar expressed gratitude to his family and his viewers, who supported him through challenging times. He emphasized the importance of supporting independent journalism to ensure a robust democracy.
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“Whenever you get the chance, please do support journalism. You will get a good democracy,” he concluded.
Kumar, a prominent figure in Indian journalism, left NDTV in 2022 after the channel was acquired by billionaire Gautam Adani, a takeover many considered hostile. Since then, he has continued his journalistic endeavors independently on YouTube.
