In a jaw-dropping 2025 podcast that's set the internet ablaze, veteran journalist sumit Awasthi – a household name from stints at Zee News, Aaj Tak, and News18 – has finally cracked open the rotten core of indian mainstream media. With raw honesty, he confesses: "We are godi media not by choice but pressure... Our advertisement revenue comes from the government."
This isn't some fringe rant – it's a bombshell from an industry insider admitting that billions in government ads choke free journalism, turning prime-time anchors into unwilling propagandists. As public trust plummets to zero, YouTube's independent voices surge in popularity. The fourth estate is bought and paid for – and Awasthi's words just proved it beyond doubt.
- The Confession That Shattered Illusions:
Straight from sumit Awasthi's viral podcast clips: He openly admits the "godi media" tag isn't desired – it's enforced. "We don't want to be called godi anchors," but massive government advertisement revenue creates unbearable pressure. Channels survive on taxpayer-funded ads, so criticizing power? Career suicide. This is the brutal reality behind those glossy newsrooms.
- Govt Ads: The Golden Leash Around Media's Neck:
Awasthi nails it – a huge chunk of tv revenue flows directly from government coffers. Dare bite the hand that feeds? Ads dry up overnight. It's not journalism; it's survival. National and local governments wield this weapon ruthlessly, turning fierce watchdogs into obedient lapdogs. No wonder balanced reporting vanished years ago.
- Credibility Hits Absolute zero – And Everyone Knows It:
Awasthi doesn't mince words: Mainstream media's trust among the masses has cratered because people see through the propaganda. Sensationalism, bias, and selective outrage rule prime time. The public isn't dumb – they've migrated en masse to platforms where truth isn't filtered through govt-approved scripts.
- YouTube Revolution:
Why Independent media Is Exploding: As Awasthi highlights, YouTube creators are now the go-to for millions craving credibility. No corporate overlords, no ad blackmail – just raw, unfiltered facts. From ground reports to deep dives, these channels thrive on viewer trust, not government handouts. tv dinosaurs are dying; wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital truth-tellers are rising. The shift is unstoppable.
- The Savage Hypocrisy:
Anchors Cry Victim But Cash The Checks: Brutal truth – these "godi" stars rake in fame and fortunes while playing the game. Awasthi calls it compulsion, but how many quit in protest? Zero. They hate the label yet embrace the system that pays for their lavish lifestyles. Public rage is justified: We're force-fed lies by millionaires pretending to be journalists.
- Democracy's Death By Ads: The Bigger, Terrifying Picture: This isn't just about one anchor's confession – it's systemic rot threatening India's democracy. When the media bows to power for money, truth dies, misinformation spreads, and voters get manipulated. Awasthi's reveal is a wake-up scream: Break the ad dependency or watch free press become full-on state propaganda. The silence from big channels? Deafening – and damning.
This explosive admission isn't gossip – it's the mirror mainstream media desperately avoided. sumit Awasthi just held it up, and the reflection is ugly as hell. As YouTube surges and tv trust tanks, one question burns: How much longer will the godi charade last before the public torches it completely? The revolution is already streaming.