5 Influential Journalists of All Time & What You Can Learn from Them

Known names and famous journalists in India have upheld the ethics in broadcast journalism and pushed the envelope to become national influencers. Not only do they do a fantastic job of anchoring shows, but they are active on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram with millions of followers as well, making them a socio-political force to reckon with.

RELATED: MAINTAINING ETHICAL STANDARDS IN BROADCAST JOURNALISM

Individuals who aspire to make a career in Broadcast Journalism can observe these iconic professionals and how they have impacted the field. Here is a list of 5 of India's most influential and famous journalists, their stories, and what you can learn from them.

5 of the Most Famous Journalists in India

1.  Rajdeep Sardesai

Arguably one of the top journalists in India and the most popular faces in broadcast journalism today, Rajdeep Sardesai entered the television media industry in 1994 and has had an illustrious career since. He is the consulting editor of ‘India Today’ and is the anchor of News today @9 which is a prime-time news slot. He has worked with renowned organizations like CNN and NDTV before. A winner of multiple prestigious awards, Rajdeep is known for his professionalism and dedication to his job. He is known to work for hours together and has rarely taken an off. Known for his suaveness and eloquence, this journalist has set benchmarks for any aspiring broadcast journalist to look up to.

2. Barkha Dutt

When we talk about famous female journalists and top journalists in India, this name can’t be far away from discussion. Known for covering the Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan in 1999, Barkha Dutt is now a household name in India. She had a prominent and fruitful career in the NDTV team for an astonishing 21 years. Barkha Dutt, an outspoken feminist reporter, was inspired by her mother, a doyen in the industry who shared tips and methods during her training. Determined, passionate, and focused, she is known not to let anything stand in her way, not even the Kargil war! Known as the Oprah Winfrey of India for her strong personality, she won two prestigious awards among many in 2008: the Padma Shri and the Indian News Broadcasting Award for the Most Intelligent News Show Host.

3. Prannoy Roy 

Prannoy, the founder of NDTV India, is an economist and chartered accountant. Prannoy Roy worked with Doordarshan in the initial stages of his career and hosted programs like ‘The News Tonight’ and ‘The World This Week.’ Prannoy Roy is known to be an active media personality and is predominantly known for his truthful and honest journalism. He was embroiled in many controversies in his career, including corruption allegations, but was cleared of all charges and found not guilty. This sophisticated, soft-spoken man who made the beard cool is known for his focus, integrity, and intelligence in the journalistic world.

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4. Arnab Goswami

The editor-in-chief and news anchor of ‘Times Now’ and ‘ET Now’ from 2006 to 2016, he is now the managing director of the news channel ‘Republic TV’ which he co-founded with Rajeev Chandrashekhar. Arnab is a famous journalist in India, and his prime-time show has millions of viewers. Known for his catchphrase ‘The nation wants to know, ‘he is renowned for grilling politicians and celebrities on his show. In loud debates with guests, Arnab asks critical questions on everybody’s minds and perfectly represents the middle class. However, Arnab has received a lot of flak over the years as many people love to hate him. Critics have characterized his show as less discourse and more yelling, accusing him of impolite and discourteous behavior. Known to be over the top, what one can learn from Arnab is being in control of the discussion and asking pressing questions that matter. He has stood up for women and fought with politicians who have made regressive remarks.

5. Mayanti Langer

Mayanti Langer is a famous journalist in India. She is a renowned sports journalist who works for the ‘Star Sports’ network. She became a household name ever since she started her association with the Indian Premier League (IPL). She has been the anchor of many prestigious sporting events like the Cricket World Cup, FIFA World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. Mayanti received some flak throughout her career for multiple reasons like nepotism and just being there for the looks, but has managed to silence her critics every time. Her interest in sports developed since college days and an aspiring graphic designer turned to sports journalism. Mayanti Langer is known for her glamorous avatar and ups the style quotient with every appearance but also backs it up with solid knowledge in the field and wit and presence of mind to make every show interesting. She is without doubt one of the leading female anchors in India right now, especially in the sports domain.

All the aforementioned news anchors and top journalists in India are at the top of their game because they have earned it. There are factors that have made them successful. Hard work, perseverance, focus, determination, presence of mind, talent, knowledge, grace, etc. are some of the qualities that they have. Apart from our list of the top 5 journalists, there are several other top journalists in India who have changed the face of the Indian journalism industry.

Wondering how to become a broadcast journalist in India?

For starters, learning the subject is necessary for anyone wanting to become a journalist. Whether looking at TV news reporting as a career option or online journalism, several journalism courses in India can help you understand the fundamentals of history, news media, and journalistic techniques.

RELATED: HOW TO BECOME A TV REPORTER/ANCHOR

Join Seamedu, one of the leading journalism colleges in India, and be part of a highly specialized Broadcast Journalism degree course to get an edge in this massive, multifaceted field. The institute is known for its excellent placement record and emphasis on practical learning that includes projects, assignments, internships and industrial trips.

Learn everything you need to know about our courses in broadcast journalism and admissions for the upcoming academic season. Enroll Now! and become the best journalist in India!