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Smita Prakash is a journalist and podcaster our guest. Smita Ma’am has been active in the field of Journalism for over two decades now and she is known for her brilliant and fearless journalism. She has reported on various events including elections, Political developments, conflicts, international events, and more.
This conversation consists of a wide discussion over many topics related to Journalism, Indian Government, and Podcasts. Smita Prakash shares her views on how digital journalism and podcasts are the future of Indian journalism, breaking down the overall election system of India, PR & Marketing in terms of politicians, the hard truths about Rural India, and much more. This has been an exhilarating conversation for me as I got to have a chat with another podcaster and get her views on multiple topics. If you’re interested in Journalism, politics, and India in general, you’re going to love this conversation. I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to share your views in the comments.
She is a joy to speak with. You will enjoy the conversation.
Television Journalist VS Podcast Journalist
“When you are in television journalism, there are many firewalls, but podcast journalists don’t have that. The angle that television journalists come with is different. And podcast journalists usually go with the angle they want to. To a certain extent, our training gives a wider perspective, but in today’s world, people need to see all. Life is not black and white.”
“I do watch the news on YouTube, and I would search for a guest I want to interview. I used to watch a lot of Late Night shows. I avoid watching interviews of the people I want to interview now because I might be unable to pull it off that way, or at times I feel they would just give the same answer. My approach is always I ask people politely, and I get backlash for the same. I am not a person who will interview people for TRP.”
Dark Side Of Journalism
“For a long time, I was working on ANI, and while doing that, I was also working for many foreign broadcasters. That was fun as you get to see India from a foreign perspective. Journalism kind of kills your humanity a little bit. Even the debates are always about Hindu Muslims. People watch it, so the media gets the rating, and they want to do that more.”
“Now people are sick and tired of the debate. After a whole day of work, you want to sit and listen to what happened, and the news gives that. But now the noise is getting annoying for everyone. People give gyaan in debates and come as experts on the topic, but they aren’t actually in politics.”
Her Perspective on THE Election
“For a political party, winning every state election is important if they are a national party. For a regional party, they need to win because it is their identity. In governance, if you have a party that is not the same as that in the center, there is a pull and push for everything. If the center wants to be nasty, they might not give you money and might disagree. As a citizen, your only job is to pick a party that will listen to you.”
Things To Know Before Voting
“Be aware of what is happening. Gain information from newspapers, television, and podcast. Do not select a person based on caste. Even in 2023, we are getting stuck with this, and that is the saddest part. Then some people don’t go to vote. You need to vote in all the elections. You matter as a citizen.”
What Happened In 2004?
“In 2004, the BJP was doing well, and they won three state elections and rescheduled the elections. They had it earlier, but Vajpayeeji didn’t want it. But in the BJP, the party holds a strong opinion that is there even now. Even Mr. Modi listens to the views of his party people. And back then, Vajpayeeji was not keeping well and lost that election.”
“We have a Prime Minister right now who is a strong prime minister. A lot of people win the state election based on his charisma. The Bharat Jodo Yatra was somewhere aimed at giving an alternative to Mr. Modi. The rise of Mr. Modi also happened because the country wanted a strong leader.”
Dark Reality
“Things are changing now in India. Living in an Urban area, we don’t mingle much with people from rural areas. There were places where Dalits were not allowed to wear footwear or own land. By law, the farmer could buy land, but living in those areas they can’t. There are places where there are only Muslim shops and no Hindu shops. Even with the special marriage act, people still face problems. People even face these in metro cities, but it is just that in tier two or three cities, it is more.”
Growth Of Internet
“I did an advertisement for six months and knew I could not do it. I always believe you need to step out of your comfort zone. I have seen when the lines were being led. When Dhirubhai Ambani said every Indian would have a phone, the country laughed. We are still fighting for necessities in some places, but phones have reached many places. Things fell into place and I hate how wealth creators are demonized. Economic prosperity is important.”
Modiji’s Recent Visit To US
“When BJP came into power, they had a fifteen-year game plan. No one spoke about Swachh Bharat or washrooms facilities. Thanks to PM Modi now people are talking about these things. His recent visit was successful but it became victimhood. Modi is just a Prime Minister who represents India. Why are we obsessing over that question? As far as India is considered it was a good visit. It is a win-win situation for India and America. They respect our foreign policy, and their decision-making is mature.”
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