What Would Rahul Gandhi's Congress Do to Arnab Goswami if Re-elected?

The prospect of Rahul Gandhi's leadership as the Prime Minister of India raises intriguing questions about the fate of media personalities like Arnab Goswami. Should the Congress Party regain power, how might they treat Goswami, who has been a controversial figure in Indian journalism and politics?

Arnab Goswami's Potential Demise

According to some predictions, Arnab Goswami might fade away from public life. Instead of continuing his media career, he could possibly find a niche lecturing at a university in the United States, much like Raghuram Rajan. The idea is that, without the political and social controversies that defined his career, he may become a niche academic rather than a media personality.

Charges and Legal Action

Assuming a Congress-led government, Goswami could face serious legal charges. Two major offences were listed:

Noise pollution from Republic TV's broadcasts Negative content that could be deemed illegal and potentially harmful to public health, especially if it exacerbated mental health issues such as suicide tendencies among viewers.

Police will likely retrieve hundreds of audio recordings from the Leela Hotel in New Delhi to use as evidence. Hospitals will be on standby to address any health emergencies caused by the emotional turmoil among Goswami's supporters.

Democracy and Journalism

However, Indian democracy ensures that no drastic actions can be taken against Arnab Goswami. While the Congress might use legal and legislative means to restrict his actions, they cannot ban his channel from broadcasting entirely. If this situation were to occur, the impact would mainly be felt in a professional and personal capacity rather than through direct legal prohibitions.

Professionally, Arnab Goswami might experience a shift similar to what other media figures faced during the BJP regime. His committed viewership could remain, but his star power might diminish, and he would likely not top the charts in terms of TRP ratings. This could be attributed to various journalism lessons being imparted to students, emphasizing the need for integrity and truth over sensationalism.

Effect on Indian Media Landscape

The predicted return of the Congress would not only impact Arnab Goswami but also the larger media landscape. Goswami would likely start his own channel, potentially in a nationalist direction, further diversifying the Indian media market. The chances of this happening are slim, however, given the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has replaced the Congress as the main opposition to the BJP.

Given the current political dynamics, there is little likelihood of a Congress government returning to power anytime soon. Arnab Goswami might continue to navigate the challenges of his media empire without severe repercussions from a potential future Congress-led government, but the landscape of Indian journalism is continually evolving, posing new challenges and opportunities.