OUR TRP IS NARENDRA MODI, OUR VISION IS NEW INDIA: Dr JAGDEESH CHANDRA

On completion of four years of Bharat24, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra speaks candidly on The JC Show about the channel’s “Vision of New India”, its strong Narendra Modi-centric editorial approach and why he calls the Prime Minister its “TRP”. He explains Bharat24’s extensive live coverage of Modi, Amit Shah, and JP Nadda; the appeal of the archival show ‘Kya Kehte Hain Modi’; and the ground realities explored through ‘Modi, Mulk aur Musalman’. Chandra also discusses the “States make the nation” philosophy, the channel’s pursuit of exclusive material, its much-discussed “extension counter” perception, the loyalty of his journalism team and his message of discipline and fitness to Gen-Z. Excerpts...

• Bharat24’s tagline is “Vision of New India”. What exactly does it mean?
  Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: It means that we have to build a new India. It is a matter of coincidence that Narendra Modi’s slogan is about building a new India. We call him one of the architects of the new India. There is no doubt about that; you have seen it yourself over the past 12 years. So, taking that same tagline forward, we said that our channel also has a national, a moral, responsibility to play its role in nation-building in the field of media. That is why we adopted the tagline “Vision of New India”. That is all it means. In today’s context, you can see it as the vision of “Developed India 2047”.
• From Day 1, Bharat24 has been seen as a Narendra Modi-centric channel, with the Prime Minister receiving the most extensive live coverage. Where does this passion for Narendra Modi come from?
  We conducted his first interview in Gujarat, so there is naturally an attachment. You meet someone repeatedly, see them and become influenced by them. But this passion is not just mine or Bharat24’s; it reflects the passion of 140 crore people. Narendra Modi remains the country’s most popular face despite criticism, experiments and minor crises. We decided to place this face, the symbol and sentiment of the country, at the forefront. Around 80 per cent of news is generated by the government, with the Prime Minister at its centre, so his vision deserves to be taken forward. We do not need TRPs; Narendra Modi himself is our TRP. If he speaks for 55 minutes, we show all 55 minutes. Over four years, Bharat24 has carried 2,110 hours of his live coverage—2.5 times more than any other channel. Amit Shah received 821 hours and JP Nadda 441 hours. Our focus is based on merit and popularity. We like this coverage, our team likes it, and therefore it continues.
• What exactly do you run on the channel that has created the image of Bharat24 as a strong Narendra Modi-centric channel?
  Around one hour and 40 minutes of our Narendra Modi coverage is exclusive in nature and not carried by other channels. When he is on tour, his speeches often run for 35, 40 or 45 minutes, and we believe viewers should hear them in full. We also run extensive exclusive material about Narendra Modi that other media do not carry. That naturally attracts attention and makes viewers ask, “Which channel is this? What new thing is it showing?” Our approach is to provide substantial additional content about him, beyond conventional coverage. You will see more of this going forward. Ultimately, it is this distinctive editorial approach that has established Bharat24 as a Narendra Modi-centric channel.
• Some people say Bharat24 functions almost as an extension counter or production house of the government. How do you explain this perception?
  This perception exists for a reason, and frankly, I enjoy it. We spend 24 hours thinking about how Narendra Modi should be projected and how the Prime Minister can be presented through different forms of coverage. Our coverage of his meetings and events is different, while First India newspaper regularly carries special jackets and a dedicated page on him. Naturally, people ask whether we are an extension counter or in direct contact with him. The answer is no—we have zero contact with him. We do all this on our own, constantly searching for new ideas and exclusive material. People appreciate it, which reinforces the perception. We often publish rare photographs that even government officials tell us they do not have. It is our attraction towards a popular personality and our constant search for new material that creates this impression. So, let us enjoy the perception and the narrative.
• How do young viewers and political analysts respond to Bharat24’s archival show ‘Kya Kehte Hain Modi’, featuring Modi’s historic speeches?
  It is another superhit show on Narendra Modi, airing twice a day with 15-minute segments of speeches delivered in Gujarat in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Viewers may see a speech from Rajkot, Vadodara or Ahmedabad. It has been particularly popular in Gujarat and serves as a single window for Modi’s admirers seeking new and exclusive material from his earlier years. His speeches reveal how powerful his communication was and also show that many ideas associated with him today, including Digital India, were already part of his vision in 2010 and 2012. Even his modern dress sense was evident during his Gujarat years. The programme is popular because genuine exclusivity has become rare in today’s media. Our search for exclusive content is what gave birth to this programme, and that pursuit has driven its popularity.
• Another show that has drawn nationwide attention is ‘Modi, Mulk aur Musalman’. By engaging directly with Muslim communities and women from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, what ground reality has emerged amid the Opposition’s narrative?
  The popular perception is that the BJP is anti-Muslim or that there is distance between the party and the Muslim community. But the reality is different. Muslims may not generally have particular affection for the BJP, but Narendra Modi is an exception. We wanted to understand what 22 crore Muslims think about Modi. Their views of the BJP and RSS are separate questions; their views of the Prime Minister are different. The programme is an eye-opener. If you interview 20 people, you may find 17 praising the work done during Modi’s tenure. We cannot simply put 28 per cent Muslims on one side; that is not the exact ground position. A significant section supports Modi. That is why we started the programme— to discover ground realities. All these people cannot be lying, nor can an anchor manipulate everyone. The programme presents reality and seeks to bring 22 crore Muslims into the mainstream.
• Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bharat24 has maintained significant focus on Om Birla, Amit Shah and JP Nadda over the past four years. Why?
  Our focus is on presenting reality. Om Birla, as Lok Sabha Speaker, has established a benchmark for what the office should represent. Narendra Modi has effectively established that model, with Om Birla becoming an example of what a Lok Sabha Speaker should be. Similarly, Amit Shah has set a benchmark for the Home Minister. His remarkable achievements in that role are visible to everyone. JP Nadda was the BJP President and continues to be an important party leader. All these leaders remain central to the mainstream political landscape. Our responsibility is to project the ground reality. Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Om Birla are among the key figures shaping that reality. In nation-building and the functioning of governance, they are milestones. That is why they receive editorial relevance and focus on the channel.
• I have heard that the channel’s “Patti” culture became so popular in political circles that, at one point, the Chief Minister of a state himself called the control room, out of sheer interest, and asked to have a “Patti” written. What is the story behind that?
  It is an attraction that people have developed in their minds. And which Chief Minister are we talking about? The foremost figure of journalism in politics — that is Ashok Gehlot. You see, in regional politics, the ultimate destination of journalism when it comes to politicians is Ashok Gehlot. Aditi used to go to speak to him about a news story, and on one occasion he said to her, “Today, I will write the Patti for you.” Just think about the kind of fascination people have developed with it. There is a certain desire, a sense of enthusiasm about writing a Patti, as they call it. So he had the Patti written. Whatever he did or whatever was written on it is one thing, but the larger point is that this represents the pinnacle, the height of the popularity of journalism and of the Patti culture. That a person of such stature, who is himself a foremost figure in the media and political space, should say, “Today I will write the Patti — what are you going to do?” That, in itself, shows how popular the format had become.
• I have heard that “States make the nation” is an important part of Bharat24’s editorial policy. Would you like to explain this further?
  Absolutely. Let me give you an example. When late Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister, I met his Secretary TK Nair, after reading that 10 prominent journalists were accompanying him on a foreign tour. We were then running 15–18 ETV channels. When I asked why we were not being taken along, he said, “You are in the states.” I replied, “But states make the nation.” He asked me to repeat it, then obtained approval. From that day, ETV became part of Prime Ministerial and Presidential media delegations on the principle of “States make the nation”. Narendra Modi later used the same philosophy for his first interview, choosing the ETV network instead of a national channel so 18 regional channels could connect, and millions could watch. It is an established theory we will take further.
• At 76, you continue to walk and run around 10 kilometres daily and remain highly energetic. What is your message to Gen-Z?
  I appreciate Harsh Sanghavi’s gracious words. My message is simple: lead a regular, disciplined life. Fix your sleeping and waking times, regardless of when you sleep. I have regulated my own life accordingly. I used to do 11 kilometres, then stopped briefly due to a leg injury and have now returned to nine to 10 kilometres, aiming for 11 again.
  If you consistently walk or run 11 kilometres on a treadmill at around 6 kmph, broadly speaking, you are less likely to develop high blood pressure, diabetes or heart problems. Of course, destiny plays its part. Ultimately, fitness is life: “Regular life and fitness is life.”