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Sudhir Chaudhary (journalist)

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Sudhir Chaudhary
Chaudhary in 2016
Born
Hodal, Haryana, India
Occupations
  • Journalist
  • news anchor
  • editor
Years active1993–present
EmployerAaj Tak
Known for
  • News Anchor of
  • Daily News & Analysis (DNA)
  • Black & White (B & W)
SpouseNiti Chaudhary
AwardsRamnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, 2013

Sudhir Chaudhary is an Indian journalist. He is a consulting editor at the Hindi news channel Aaj Tak and hosts the show Black & White (B & W).[1] He was formerly the editor-in-chief and CEO[2][3][4] of Zee News, WION, Zee Business, Zee 24 Taas[3] and hosted the prime-time show Daily News & Analysis (DNA) on Zee News.[5][6]

Career

Chaudhary has been working in the television news industry since the 1990s. He started his career in Zee News, then worked with Live India and Mi Marathi before joining Zee News again.[7] He was in live television reporting and then 24 hours news television.[8] Chaudhary was told to have been in the squad which has covered the Vajpayee–Musharraf Indo-Pak meeting at Islamabad,[9] after the 2001 Indian Parliament attack.

In 2003, he left Zee News. He was instrumental in the launch of Sahara Samay, the Hindi-language news channel of the Sahara group. He also joined India TV for a brief time. In 2012, he rejoined Zee News, where he hosted the news show Daily News & Analysis (DNA).[10][11][12][13]

Chaudhary resigned again from Zee News in July 2022 and joined Aaj Tak.[14][1] He is hosting Aaj Tak's prime time show Black & White (B & W).

Lawsuits

Jindal extortion case

In November 2012, Chaudhary and his colleague Sameer Ahluwalia were arrested on charges of extortion[15] after businessman Naveen Jindal alleged that the two journalists had tried to extort ₹100 Crore worth of advertisements from his company in exchange for dropping stories that linked the Jindal Group with the Coalgate scam. The two were sent to 14-day judicial custody in Tihar Jail but were released on bail.[16][17] The Broadcast Editors' Association suspended Chaudhary as its treasurer in the wake of these charges, saying that Chaudhary had acted in a manner prejudicial to the interests and objectives of the Association.[18] In July 2018, the Jindal Group wrote to the investigating agencies saying that a settlement had been reached, and requesting them to withdraw the allegations against the journalists and close the case; on the same day, charges of bribery were filed against Jindal and others related to the case.[19]

Allegations against Mahua Moitra

Chaudhary accused Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra of plagiarizing American journalist Martin Longman who pointed out the early signs of fascism in India, although both Longman and Moitra later denied such accusations.[20][21] Mahua Moitra filed a criminal defamation case against Sudhir Chaudhary after which Chaudhary, on his daily prime time show, accepted that only a part of Mahua Moitra's speech was broadcast and showed his regrets.[22] Zee Media also filed a defamation case against her for calling it 'chor' and 'paid' news.[23]

Accusations of Islamophobia

On 10 April 2020, on Zee News, Chaudhary (according to Al Jazeera) openly accused Muslims of impeding India's coronavirus war.[24] Chaudhary said on his show DNA that the "Tablighi Jamaat betrayed the nation."[25]

In May 2020, Kerala Police filed a first information report against Chaudhary for his March 11 broadcast of DNA, in which Chaudhary discusses the "types of jihads", which were criticized as Islamophobic.[26]

On 2 June 2023, he subtly blamed Muslims for destroying a temple in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr. This later turned out to be false when the UP police arrested the four Hindu men in the case. After this, he said "Progressive Hindus" have "defamed their own religion", and these are the "same progressive Hindus who like to be identified as secular".[27]

In November 2023, the News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) recently took action against two shows hosted by Sudhir Chaudhary, citing concerns of Islamophobia. The complaint emphasized the communal discourse present in both shows, both hosted by Chaudhary. One episode, aired in October 2022 as part of his 'Black and White' series, addressed the topic of "Muslim participation in Garba festivals." However, the content was criticized for its biased portrayal, manipulation of facts, and the use of a distinctly communal slur, reflecting an anti-Muslim bias. In another instance, Sudhir Chaudhary made unfounded claims about illegal mausoleums on government land in Uttarakhand during his role as anchor, thus stigmatizing the entire Muslim community. In response to these complaints, the NBDSA reprimanded the channel for the unnecessary and loose use of the term 'Mazhaar Jihaad' and ordered the removal of the video of one of the shows.[28]

While once again targeting minorities, stirred debate on his show "Black and White" by declaring India the best cricket team globally, attributing success to the absence of reservations in player selection. Advocating for a merit-based approach, he questioned whether removing reservations across sectors would lead to greater national achievements. Social media backlash accused him of promoting divisive narratives against minorities and backward classes, urging a deeper understanding of the historical context of reservations for marginalized upliftment.[29]

In March 2024, Aajtak, who broadcast his show, was again fined by NBDSA for misrepresenting Barack Obama's statement about protecting Muslim minorities in India by attributing it to the 'tukde tukde gang' and separatist and terrorist movements such as Khalistan, thus distorting viewers' perception of the matter.[30]

Threats

In 2015, Sudhir Chaudhary got X-category security after allegations that someone had threatened to murder Chaudhary.[31] In 2020, Zee News claimed that China had been monitoring Sudhir Chaudhary.[32]

Awards

Chaudhary won a Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism in the "Hindi broadcast" category for 2013. He won the award for his interview with the friend of the Delhi December 16 gang-rape victim.[33]

References

  1. ^ a b "'The natural home for a household name': Sudhir Chaudhary to join Aaj Tak as consulting editor". newslaundry.com. 12 July 2022. Archived from the original on 12 July 2022.
  2. ^ "लोकप्रियता को लेकर Sudhir Chaudhary के नाम एक और उपलब्धि, Koo पर जुड़े लाखों फॉलोअर्स". Zee News (in Hindi). Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b "ZEE Media segregates channels into 3 clusters, Sudhir Chaudhary named CEO of Cluster 1". exchange 4 media. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  4. ^ "World leaders watch WION for factual & researched coverage". WION. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  5. ^ "COVID-19: Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary gets first dose of vaccine". DNA India. 2 March 2021. Archived from the original on 6 March 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  6. ^ Khan, Saif Ahmad (3 April 2021). "Sudhir Chaudhary now also Editor-in-Chief of Zee Business - Exchange4media". exchange4media. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Sudhir Chaudhary joins Zee News as Business Head & Editor". exchange4media.com. 17 July 2012. Archived from the original on 8 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Sudhir Chaudhary". Jaipur Literature Festival. 26 November 2016. Archived from the original on 8 May 2019.
  9. ^ "Sudhir Chaudhary bids adieu to Live India". Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  10. ^ JKR Staff (1 July 2016). "Supreme Court warns Zee News editors, Sudhir Chaudhary and Samir Ahluwalia, directs them to follow procedure or they will be sent back to jail - Janta Ka Reporter 2.0". Janta Ka Reporter 2.0. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  11. ^ Jebaraj, Priscilla (25 October 2012). "Jindal plays CD, claims Zee editors demanded Rs. 100 crore". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  12. ^ "Zee editors get bail in Rs 100 cr extortion bid case - Firstpost". www.firstpost.com. 17 December 2012. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  13. ^ "Sudhir Chaudhary now also editor in Chief of zee business". Archived from the original on 15 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  14. ^ "Zee News' CEO Sudhir Chaudhary quits | Media". Campaign India.
  15. ^ "Two Zee editors arrested for 'Rs 100-crore extortion bid' - Times of India ►". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 1 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  16. ^ "Zee editors in two-week custody". BBC News. 30 November 2012. Archived from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  17. ^ "Zee News editors sent to Tihar jail". Hindustan Times. 1 December 2012. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  18. ^ "Broadcasters' body suspends Zee editor over Naveen Jindal charge - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  19. ^ "ED charges against Naveen Jindal, others as his firm settles case of extortion with Zee". The Indian Express. 14 July 2018. Archived from the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  20. ^ "Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra didn't plagiarize: US writer of fascism article shuts trolls". India Today. Archived from the original on 13 October 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  21. ^ "American Analyst Dismisses Plagiarism Charges Against TMC MP Mahua Moitra". News18. Archived from the original on 13 October 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  22. ^ "Mahua Moitra v. Sudhir Chaudhary defamation: Court stays proceedings". Bar & Bench. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  23. ^ "Zee Media files criminal defamation case against TMC MP Mahua Moitra for calling it 'chor' and 'paid' news". Zee News. 19 July 2019. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  24. ^ Vetticad, Anna MM. "Indian media accused of Islamophobia for its coronavirus coverage". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  25. ^ Scroll Staff. "Tablighi Jamaat coverage: Supreme Court says complaints against media should be sent to NBA first". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  26. ^ "Kerala Police books Zee News editor Sudhir Chaudhary under non-bailable sections". The Indian Express. 10 May 2020. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  27. ^ Singh, Nikita (9 June 2023). "When Muslim dogwhistle fails, Sudhir Chaudhary blames Hindus for being a 'danger to Hindus'". Newslaundry. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  28. ^ maniyar, zahid (7 November 2023). "CJP Impact! Two favourable orders on complaints against Sudhir Chaudhary's 'Black and White' shows". CJP. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  29. ^ Bharathi, Vartha. "Sudhir Chaudhary's remarks on reservations in Indian Cricket Team triggers controversy". english.varthabharati.in. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  30. ^ Digital, N. H. (1 March 2024). "Aaj Tak fined another Rs 75,000 for 'misleading' broadcast on Obama". National Herald. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  31. ^ Tripathi, Rahul. "Zee News senior editor Sudhir Chaudhary gets X-category security". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  32. ^ "Rattled China spying on Zee News editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary: Report". Zee News. 14 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  33. ^ "Sudhir Chaudhary gets Ramnath Goenka Excellence". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
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