Welcome to the first episode of NL Hafta in 2019! Host Abhinandan Sekhri is joined by the regular gang of Manisha Pande, Raman Kirpal and Anand Vardhan, and special guest Dushyant Arora, lawyer and chief editor of News Central 24x7.The conversation starts with Abhinandan asking the panellists their views on ANI editor Smita Prakash’s interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The interview's earned a fair share of commentary and dissent, primarily against the journalist for being too soft on the PM. Anand takes the lead on the issue, saying he does not find it objectionable if a member of the media is respectful to a man in Modi's position. “That is the dignity the office carries, not the individual,” he says. But is it really respect or is it diffidence? Dushyant says, “The dignity of the office … is enhanced with greater questioning.”The panel then discusses the 28 counts of criminal defamation filed by Anil Ambani against various news organisations. Dushyant weighs in with a legal perspective, describing how the provisions of the NSA stack the odds against the accused, and how defamation has historically been used as a tool to "intimidate and silence" journalists.The conversation shifts to the 620-kilometre human wall formed by women in Kerela. Abhinandan notes that the effort was backed by the state to support the feminist struggle regarding entry of women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple. Manisha candidly says the act, while commendable, didn’t really move her. She says this is not where “the heart of the feminist battle lies”. Dushyant adds that the act of conducting a shudhikaran after two women managed to enter the temple is unconstitutional.Moving on to the BJP-Congress faceoff about making a rendition of Vande Mataram, Abhinandan says, “For any society to progress, there has to be an active opposition of defiance for such things.” The panel unanimously spoke against this, as well as the mandate that requires movie theatres to play the national anthem and viewers to stand in a perfunctory display of patriotism.Another issue that sparked impassioned discussion from the panel was the leaked Rafale audio clip. They raised questions and expressed curiosity about the identity of the elusive “Mr X”—the journalist heard in conversation with Goa minister Vishwajit Rane. Abhinandan points out this oversight in the reportage of the issue on primetime news channels.Tune in to NL Hafta to find out more!

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