FOR GOOD JOURNALISM?

Rajdeep Sardesai, the star reporter of NDTV, a well-known Indian 24-hour news channel, has left it to get his own news channel. He says he has to do it for the sake of good journalism.

Why an explanation?

These days new TV channels are coming up almost every month. They are plain clones of the existing ones with nothing new to offer. It looks like starting a TV channel is the simplest job today, and you can do it if you have money, and a little connection.

Some time ago Rajat Sharma, a newspaper journalist-turned-TV-personality, came up with his own channel called India TV. Dull and limping ever since its inception, it is now trying to thrive on tasteless sleazy stories involving film stars and politicians.

Of course, Rajdeep is different: he is a solid and savvy reporter who can hook up audience with his sharp and bold take on any event or politician. But can he play the same role when he has to function as the owner of a channel as well?
MRINAL BOSE