Ashutosh Gupta is known for his journey from journalist to AAP politician and then back to journalist. Recently, he was speaking to Barkha Dutt on journalism in an interview. In the general landscape of Indian political journalism, Ashutosh Gupta stands out as a prominent and vocal critic of PM Modi and the BJP.
He is known for assimilating views that are deeply critical of the Modi administration. However, Mr. Gupta, who has carved a niche for himself as a Modi critic, did an about-face on the Modi Hate Business Model that new-age journalists have refined and monetized. Let’s explore!
Ashotsh Gupta Gives A Contradictory Media Byte
🚨 ASHUTOSH exposes "journalism" of Youtubers who call others Godi media.
He said "Hating Modi has become a business for YouTube journalists"
"They wake up in the morning & search for stories to criticize Modi to make money. that's NOT journalism"
BARKHA DUTT 🔥- "I agree to… pic.twitter.com/tJvJC1P4eV
— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) June 24, 2024
A byte from Barkha Dutt’s conversation with Ashutosh Gupta is going viral. The clip is trending for how these two staunch anti-Modi journalists spout hate on the “Modi Hate Business Model” of the current-day mainstream media. This term, as Gupta explained, refers to the trend within certain media segments that exploit and amplify anti-Modi sentiments. And their sole reason to do so is to gain commercial gain and political head-pats under the guise of journalism.
Ashutosh Gupta submits that most mainstream and social media has blurred the line between journalism and sensationalism.
As an anti-Modi and anti-BJP critic, these words out of Gupta’s mouth prove what the truly neutral media has been stating for a long time. As per Ashutosh Gupta, there exists a lucrative market for anti-Modi content. And some media houses are capitalizing on this by peddling Modi hatred and sensationalism. Thus, he emphasizes that balanced and objective reporting is now a dead concept in the media!
Is This A Self-Reflective Critique?
"सुबह उठते ही कुछ यूट्यूबर्स मोदी के खिलाफ स्टोरी ढूंढने लगते हैं, ये पत्रकारिता नहीं है। मोदी से नफरत कुछ लोगों के लिए पैसा कमाने का जरिया बन गया है" पत्रकार से नेता और नेता से फिर पत्रकार बने आशुतोष ने बरखा दत्त से ऐसा क्यों कहा ? किसके लिए कहा, मेरा विश्लेषण…
— Ashok Shrivastav (@AshokShrivasta6) June 28, 2024
As a founder of the Satya Hindi channel, Ashutosh engages in repeated BJP bashing. The articles on the website are prominently pro-Congress and anti-Modi. Thus, netizens wonder whether Gupta’s statements are a candid admission of his stance as a Modi critic. Maybe, but why would Ashutosh Gupta acknowledge his agenda? Some analysts state that opposition to Modi’s policies is Ashutosh Gupta’s criticism grounded in facts, not driven by commercial interests.
Ashutosh Gupta strongly presented that Modi Hate Peddlers are polarizing the nation!
However, many other analysts feel that Gupta’s criticism is biased as his work is not devoid of the business model. After all, he also benefits from the patrons of Modi’s detractors on his YouTube channel and website. Thus, some analysts believe that his words come from a place of envy. Young YouTubers and ecosystem-sponsored media houses mint large amounts while exploiting public emotions. This has resulted in a certain segement of anchors or journalists having a larger say in the Le-Li supporters!
Therefore, to these analysts it seems that Gupta is probably losing ground to more trending detractors that use sensationalism to gain quick popularity!
#Emergency
ASHUTOSH exposes "journalism" of Youtubers who call others Godi media.He said "Hating Modi has become a business for YouTube journalists"
"They wake up in the morning & search for stories to criticize Modi to make money. that's NOT journalism"
BARKHA DUTT – "I… pic.twitter.com/xyCyXhtxC7
— श्रवण बिश्नोई (किसान) (@SharwanKumarBi7) June 25, 2024
Consequently, the common perception of Ashutosh Gupta’s statements showcases his two-faced attitude Modi Hate Business Model. He criticizes the methods he himself uses to earn. These words seem to portray his emotional dissatisfaction at not being the prime voice in this Le-Li ecosystem!
The Anti-Modi Ecosystem And Journalism
Political criticism should not devolve into a business model that profits from dividing the people of the nation.
True journalism is now a lost concept. Most media houses hunger after TRPs. And anchors’ popularity rises or falls on their political affiliation and that of their dedicated audiences. Therefore, informed and educated content is not being produced. The power of the media is diluted in the search for more views.
Thus, modern media formats focus on manipulating emotions for clicks, likes, and subscribers.
Barkha Dutt also agreed with Gupta’s comments that expose the truth of the media fraternity that they are part of. The need of the hour in media powerhouses is to stop pandering to an ecosystem that presents a biased reality to the man watching the screen. Paid-for echo chambers harm the public and narratives driven without facts skew public perceptions.
Therefore, Gupta’s viral video segment sparks a broader conversation about the role of journalism in a democracy. Moreover, it highlights the lack of ethics in current-day media professionals. Modern media must learn to balance political sponsorships and commercial pressures with journalistic integrity. Sensationalism should not be termed as news or facts to work against societal cohesion. However, the power to stop this misuse of media lies in the lands of the viewer. The common man has the power to bankrupt the ‘Modi Hate Business Model.’ Hopefully, now that it stands exposed by one of their own, it will be replaced by fact-based criticism and honest journalism!