RAVISH Kumar- Naam toh suna hi hoga! Ravish Kumar, one of India’s leading journalists is often heard uttering "The power of journalism lies in its ability to question those in power and hold them accountable.” These lines about the role of journalism, in challenging authority and ensuring accountability are not merely a saying. They reflect a purpose that has shaped his impressive professional journey.
The tale of Ravish commences, in Motihari in Bihar where he was brought into the world to a family background. Like ambitious young Indians who aspire for success and opportunity, he ventured to Delhi for his higher studies. It was within the precincts of the Delhi School of Economics that his journey towards journalism started taking shape. No one could have foreseen that this quiet and unassuming individual would eventually emerge as the advocate, for individuals. In 1996 Ravish became part of the team, at NDTV as a reporter.
For more than 26 years that followed, he played a role in influencing the development of television journalism, in India. His program "Prime Time " went beyond being another news show. It became a go to program every night for viewers looking for honesty amid the loudness of sensationalism. Ravish swore by the mantra of delivering true hard-hitting journalism. While others wanted to increase TRPs and positive reviews, Ravish did not shy away from facing criticism or facing backlash. Ravish wanted to highlight the less covered stories of people who do not usually get an outlet in the media landscape.
In November 2022, Ravish decided to resign from his position at NDTV after dedicating 26 years of service which surprised the media community and left viewers questioning the future of journalism, in India. This move transpired after the takeover of NDTV by Billionaire Gautam Adani.
In the same year, Ravish started his own YouTube channel just with a team of two people igniting thought provoking discussions. The shift from Television to YouTube was more than just a “medium shift.” Ravish set out a bold example in the media fraternity that one does not need flashy studios to deliver hard-hitting journalism.
Director Vinay Shukla’s documentary on MUBI provides an insight into Ravish’s life. The documentary displays his life fighting for India through his unwavering journalism. He discusses the repercussions of this decision on his loved ones along with questions of uncertainty. However, what remains consistent is his dedication to bring forth uncensored journalism. His empathetic style of reporting stands a beacon of hope to inspiring journalists showcasing that one does not need to be aggressive to deliver constructive journalism. What we loved about the documentary was Vinay’s ability to recreate the newsroom atmosphere highlighting how Ravish and his team usually balanced the fine line between reporting the truth and avoiding backlash.
This style of journalism, innovated by Ravish, showcasing his journey from Television to YouTube is a testament to the fact that the “truth always prevails”.
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