South Central

For this special year-ender episode, Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri and Manisha Pande and The News Minute’s Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna are joined by columnist and media critic Santosh Desai.

The conversation begins with a wrap of the Indian media ecosystem this year. Santosh says, “Institutions are struggling to retain credibility and resist pressure.” Dhanya argues that mainstream media exerts significant influence over people, but on social media, the results vary.

Discussing the state of the media more specifically in Karnataka, Pooja notes that although it's “heavily compromised”, it can still be seen as a “lesser evil” compared to the Hindi and English media.

Manisha argues that, in terms of news consumption, the internet can be very ruthless – in contrast to legacy media, which does not have to face the crash and burn. She cites the example of Beer Biceps, whose rapid rise and fall illustrate this ruthlessness.

Some influencers, Dhanya says, have also realised that “credibility comes with consistency”. On the economic front, Abhinandan explains, “It is the lethargy of legacy media that is reflected in their belief about how business is done – in large spaces and studios. Hence, sustainability and viewership become two completely different things.”

The panel also discusses advertisements that make them nostalgic. Dhanya says, “Now, we pay to remove ads. I cannot remember the last time I watched an ad.” Meanwhile, Abhinandan notes, “The death of ads is the death of jingles, which in turn traces to the death of radio.”

While discussing Arnab Goswami's recent shows that questioned the central government, Pooja remarks, “This man can damage the country by stooping so low, but all it takes for him to be viewed as a crusader is the targeting of a soft issue as a larger strategy.”

This and a lot more. Tune in!

Letters to NL Hafta and South Central: ‘Pointless’ Nikhil Kamath article, love for Dhanya and improving AQI

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Timecodes

00:00:00 - Introductions & announcements

00:02:16 - Headlines

00:07:30 - Brands vs individuals: Understanding news models 

00:33:15 - Karnataka Hate Speech Bill

00:38:00 - How has advertising changed?

00:59:00 - Santosh’s recommendations

01:00:00 - Arnab Goswami’s turnaround 

01:07:00 - Christmas violence  

01:12:00 - Letters

01:35:13 - Recommendations 

Song: Badumbaaa - Zumba Zumba

References

Prasar Bharati’s curliest tale: How taxpayer money was used for influencer content

Kiran Bedi Tapes: Does the law allow a ‘concerned mother’ to request a surveillance operation?

Read Santosh Desai’s columns 

Abhinandan’s interview with Dhruv Rathee 

Abhinandan’s interview with Harvinder Kaur Chowdhury

Recommendations

Santosh Desai 

New India by Rahul Bhatia 

Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Pluribus

The Expanse

Abhinandan 

Believer's Dilemma: Vajpayee and the Hindu Right's Path to Power, 1977–2018 by Abhishek Choudhary

Vajpayee: The Ascent of the Hindu Right, 1924–1977 by Abhishek Choudhary 

Pooja Prasanna

A Controversial Judge 

Dhanya

The Dig: Keeladi and the Politics of India's Past by Sowmiya Ashok

Serial

The Muhammad Yunus government played with fire, now Bangladesh burns again

Believer's Dilemma

Manisha 

Shattered Lands : Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia by Sam Dalrymple

Gods Guns & Missionaries: The Making of the Modern Hindu Identity by Manu S. Pillai

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Lapgun DJ

Check out previous Hafta recommendations, references, songs and letters.

Recorded and produced by Priyali Dhingra. Production assistance by Megha Mukundan and  Ajay. Edited by Saif Ali Ekram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this year-ender episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss federalism and how it has fared in India. They are joined by economist and author Rathin Roy, and TNM’s Associate Editor Nandini Chandrasekhar.

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00:00:00- Introduction 

00:02:01 - Headlines 

00:15:53 - Federalism

01:17:29- Recommendations 

You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss whether investigative journalism is becoming one of the most endangered professions in India or is that a misplaced fear. Looking back at 2025, the conversation focuses on how much space investigative reporting still has, the risks journalists face, and whether strong reporting is able to create real impact. 

They are joined by investigative journalists Josy Joseph, founder of Confluence Media, Rema Nagarajan, senior editor-research at Times of India and independent journalist Nikita Saxena.

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction 

00:00:51 - Kerala Actor Assault Case

00:01:48 - Headlines 

00:13:07 - Investigative Journalism in India 

01:03:10- Recommendations 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss India’s Constitutional value of secularism and the contradictions in its practice. The panel delves into how India has fared, or not, in prioritising Constitutional values vis-à-vis political agenda. They are joined by journalist and activist Aakar Patel and Seema Chishti, the editorial head of The Wire.

Reporting Fund: The Shady Business of Stolen Footage

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction 

00:01:07 - CCTV series

00:03:56- Dileep Case Verdict

00:06:07 - Headlines 

00:16:29 - Secularism in India

01:29:41- Recommendations

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali and written by Sukanya Shaji

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the Kerala actor assault case of 2017, which superstar Dileep is accused of orchestrating. As the verdict is expected in a week, the hosts take us through the details of the case and its impact on Kerala society. They are joined by TNM’s Associate Editor, Sukanya Shaji and Breaking News Head, Azeefa Fathima. In the second session, the hosts delve into the SIR, the pressure exerted on BLOS, and the discrepancies in the process itself. The guests are joined by TNM’s Tamil Nadu Bureau Chief Shabbir Ahmed.

The News Minute & Newslaundry 26% discount offer

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction 

00:01:11 - 26% Discount

00:05:16 - Headlines 

00:12:57 - Dileep Case Verdict 

00:48:03 - SIR Across States

01:16:22- Recommendations

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali and written by Sukanya Shaji.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the anti-vaccine statements made by billionaire Sridhar Vembu. In the second session, the hosts delve into the efforts of several governments, including Karnataka and Andhra, to implement a PPP model in the health education sector. The hosts are joined by Dr PV Ramesh, IAS, and Dr Sylvia Karpagam, a public health doctor with more than two decades of experience.

Let Me Explain is 100 not out

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction 

00:01:08 - LME 100

00:02:22 - Headlines 

00:13:33 - Vembu’s Anti-Vax Claim 

00:47:36 - Privatisation of hospitals 

01:18:53- Recommendations 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali and written by Sukanya Shaji.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Anisha Sheth first discuss Kerala’s announcement that it has eradicated extreme poverty. They are joined by T.V. Anupama, IAS officer and Special Secretary, Local Self Government Department and Devaswom, and Freddy Thomas, Assistant Professor at the School of Law, Christ University. The discussion explores how families were identified, the state’s micro-plan approach to welfare, and the challenges of sustaining such interventions over time.

In the second part of the episode, the hosts are joined by senior journalist Prajwal Bhatt from New York to discuss Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York City’s mayor. Prajwal explains how Mamdani’s campaign mobilised young voters and sections of Indian Americans, including “Hindus for Zohran,” while drawing sharp reactions from segments of the Indian right wing.

Read: Ayodhya of the south

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction 

00:01:44 - Ayodhya of the south 

00:04:03 - Headlines 

00:14:02 - Kerala eradicates extreme poverty 

00:49:26 - Mamdani wins

01:09:51 - Yogendra Yadav on SIR  

01:25:02- Recommendations 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Anisha Sheth first discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls across the country, and the controversies surrounding it. The hosts are joined by activist and psephologist Yogendra Yadav. In the second part of the session, the hosts discuss two High Court orders–from Kerala and Karnataka– that quash FIRs in sexual harassment cases. They are joined by former lawyer and journalist Sukanya Shaji.

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The Shady Business of Stolen Footage: Support the report fund

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Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction 

00:01:44 - CCTV Series 

00:02:47 - Headlines 

00:08:45 - Support Newslaundry 

00:09:45 - Headlines

00:15:12 - Yogendra Yadav on SIR  

00:54:55- Bumble & Ranjith Cases

01:15:38- Recommendations 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali and written by Sukanya Shaji.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Anisha Sheth first discuss the hijab controversy in Kerala, and whether it is a question of faith or the right to education. The hosts are joined by senior journalist Shahina KK and TNM’s Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal. In the second part of the session, the hosts discuss the newly announced Google data centre in Visakhapatnam, whether it is viable for the state, and the row between Karnataka and Andhra ministers over it. The hosts are joined by Indulekha Aravind, a senior journalist who primarily writes on business.

Celebrate Deepavali with us with this special offer: https://pages.razorpay.com/deepavali25

Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to [email protected] 

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You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central.

Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction 

00:01:04: Diwali Offer

00:01:52 - RSF Press Freedom Nomination

00:05:05 - Headlines 

00:19:00 - Kerala Hijab row  

00:58:10- Karnataka-Andhra Spat

01:15:27- Recommendations 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali and written by Sukanya Shaji.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Anisha Sheth first discuss the Supreme Court’s acquittal of Dashwanth, convicted and sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a minor girl in Tamil Nadu. They are joined by Azeefa Fathima, TNM’s head of Breaking News. In the second part of the session, the hosts discuss the RSS’s centenary year and the outfit’s presence in the southern states. They are joined by historian and author V Geetha, and TNM’s Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal.

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Audio Timecodes 

00:00:00- Introduction 

00:01:35: Diwali Offer

00:02:48 - Headlines 

00:12:18 - Dashwanth Case  

00:43:38- RSS in south India

01:24:05- Recommendations 

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Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali and written by Sukanya Shaji.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.