EXPLAINED: Leena reghunath - The Real Truth

South Central @100: Journalism in the age of influencers

A smartphone can record a protest, document police action and bring stories from the ground to thousands of people. But does that make the person behind the camera a journalist? And when an influencer describes themselves as an independent journalist, what should audiences expect from them?

Newslaundry · Nov 9

Inside India’s growing independent news ecosystem

As trust in Big Media wanes, a new ecosystem of journalism is taking shape, driven by people outside the mainstream. But how are they building a new approach to journalism and storytelling? How can new ideas help the media stay relevant without renouncing credibility? And what’s it like to connect…

Newslaundry · Oct 31, 2025

South Central 40: Election Commission’s credibility crisis and the nun who took Bishop Franco to court

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath first discuss the ‘vote chori’ press conference by the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, issuing a seven-day ultimatum to Rahul Gandhi and anyone else casting doubts on the election process. Senior investigative journalist and Executive Editor…

Newslaundry · Aug 24, 2025

South Central 34: Karnataka’s DKS-Siddaramaiah tussle and RSS hypocrisy on Preamble

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath first discuss the tussle between DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah over the state’s Chief Minister-ship. 

Newslaundry · Jul 6, 2025

South Central 33: The CBFC’s absurd demand of 127 cuts for Punjab 95, director Honey Trehan speaks

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Leena Reghunath first discuss the controversy around director Honey Trehan’s film Punjab 95, starring Diljit Dosanjh, based on the life and death of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra. The film’s release has been stalled by the Central Board of…

Newslaundry · Jun 29, 2025

South Central 31: Chinmayi Sripaada’s Thug Life performance and follow-up of Bengaluru stampede

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the Bengaluru Chinnaswamy stampede with senior journalist Nandini Chandrasekhar. They weigh in on whether the Karnataka government is scapegoating the police and evading responsibility.

Newslaundry · Jun 15, 2025

South Central 30: RCB’s post-win tragedy and Kamal Haasan’s Kannada origin row

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss RCB's long-awaited IPL victory and the tragic deaths that followed in the stampede at the franchise’s success meet in Bengaluru. Sports journalist Venkat Ananth weighs in on the discussion with important pointers about fandom, the…

Newslaundry · Jun 8, 2025

South Central 29: BJP’s Muslim messaging and can you really separate art from the artist?

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the dichotomy of the BJP’s Muslim-messaging within India and abroad. In the second section, they also talk about whether art can be truly separated from the artist. Joining the discussion are The Wire’s editor Seema…

Newslaundry · Jun 1, 2025

South Central 27: India-Pakistan tensions, and the theatre of TV news

In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss the India-Pakistan ceasefire following Operation Sindoor and examine the role of the media during moments of military escalation. The panel is joined by defence expert Sushant Singh and senior journalist Prem Panicker. 

Newslaundry · May 18, 2025

South Central 25: India’s response to Pahalgam attack and the World Press Freedom Index

In this episode, hosts Dhanya Rajendran, Pooja Prasanna, and Leena Reghunath discuss India’s response to the Pahalgam attack and what India’s rank in the World Press Freedom Index reflects. Also part of the discussion are international relations expert Professor Amitabh Mattoo and senior journalist Nirupama Subramaniam. 

Newslaundry · May 4, 2025