AI, platforms, technology will change, but power of story will remain: Rajdeep Sardesai

Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai mounted a strong defence of journalism at e4m NewsNext 2025, arguing that despite intense criticism, political pressure and technological disruption, the profession continues to matter because of its core commitment to truth and accountability.

Opening his keynote, Sardesai acknowledged the prevailing scepticism around television news but praised exchange4media for consistently recognising excellence in journalism.

“At a time when most people are questioning ki TV news hai ya nahi, for e4m to do this every year and honour the best in television journalism deserves a big round of applause,” he said, adding that recognising regional channels alongside national ones was particularly important.

Reflecting on nearly four decades in journalism, Sardesai traced his career back to what he called the “typewriter generation,” when journalism was not driven by fame, awards or visibility. “Hum is profession mein apne fame ke liye nahi aaye,” he said. “We came into journalism because we believed there was something special about it.”

Calling journalism a calling rather than a job, he remarked, “Passion is not enough. Obsession hona chahiye. Journalism is not a 9-to-5 job.” In a country like India, he added, unpredictability is the profession’s greatest draw. “There is no other country I would want to be a journalist in other than India. You never know what tomorrow brings.”

To underline that unpredictability, Sardesai recounted a newsroom meeting earlier this year where he complained about the absence of real news, only for a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad to break within an hour. “For the next 24, 36, 48 hours, the entire news cycle had changed,” he said. “That is news. You never know what the next hour brings.”

Explaining why journalists find it difficult to disengage, Sardesai shared personal anecdotes, including a long-planned family holiday that was interrupted by a political crisis in Maharashtra. “You can call it a drug,” he said. “I don’t call it a drug. I call it junoon. I call it obsession.”

Addressing fears around technology and artificial intelligence, Sardesai said formats and platforms may evolve, but the essence of journalism will remain unchanged. “AI, platforms, technology will change, but the power of the story will always remain,” he said. He warned that audiences will no longer tolerate noise and spectacle. “People have options. They will switch you off with the remote,” he said, stressing that credibility would determine survival.

Reiterating journalism’s responsibility to question authority, Sardesai said, “Tell truth to power, whoever is in power. Zamana badalta hai.” Having covered 10 general elections, he noted that political dominance is always temporary, but journalism must be permanent.

He cited recent investigative reporting by a Marathi news channel into an alleged land scam involving the son of a deputy chief minister as proof that journalism still makes a difference. “Yeh hoti hai patrakarita,” he said, adding that such stories force governments and institutions to respond.

Sardesai urged journalists to focus on contemporary, people-centric issues rather than divisive narratives. “Look at air pollution, look at regulatory failures, look at what is happening in Goa,” he said. “Aaj ke sawal, aaj ke jawab chahiye.”

In a striking metaphor, he likened journalists to cockroaches, calling them the ultimate survivors. “Journalist is the cockroach. He must remain forever,” he said. “Aap humein marne ki hazaar koshish kijiye, hum itni asaani se marenge nahi.”

He concluded with an anecdote from Bihar’s election coverage in Munger, where tough questioning of a local strongman initially angered residents but later earned their respect. “If you ask the powerful the right questions on behalf of ordinary people, they will salute you,” Sardesai said.