"You run a banana republic channel," Rajdeep Sardesai slams Arnab Goswami on live TV

“You run a banana republic channel that has deliberately created a media trial for whatever your ends are,” said ace journalist Rajdeep Sardesai challenging his former colleague Arnab Goswami, live on national television.

Sardesai slammed Goswami while they were discussing the‘ murder theory trial by media.’ In August, Goswami launched a tirade against Sardesai for his decision to interview Rhea Chakraborty for India Today Group. Goswami then went on to compare the interview for India Today and Aaj Tak TV to a Karan Johar’s chat show, “Koffee With Karan.”

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Leaving no stones unturned Sardesai can be heard saying, “Targeted me during my Rhea Chakraborty interview and more, but today I’m going to say – Arnab Goswami you run a banana republic channel. You run a channel that has deliberately created a media trial for whatever your ends are. But do not bring journalism down to the level that you have. This is the only advice I will give you. This is not what journalism is about.”

The war of words between the two channels- India Today and Republic TV did not just stop there as Sardesai went on to say that it was due to Goswami’s incessant “crap” that he is now forced to name and shame people. “You want me to name and shame, I will name and shame today because I have kept quiet for two and a half months and listened to the crap that you have put out on air with only one purpose that you had – to try and get rating points. There’s something more important than TRPs my friend – it’s called television respect points,” he said.

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The dig at Goswami was also saturated one because even in September, Republic TV shared the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) ratings on Twitter. There they mocked India Today over low TRP. Tagging India Today Group owner, Aroon Poorie the tweet stated, “Here’s a tip from India’s No. 1 News Network Republic: Tell your hassled anchors that venting on social media doesn’t win the viewer’s trust. Inhale. Exhale. Be calm. It may help your news desk, which seems at bay.”

Republic TV and Goswami as a whole is allegedly accused of running a media hate campaign to criticise Sushant Singh Rajput’s girlfriend and actor Rhea. On the other hand, Sardesai and India Today are allegedly accused of whitewashing Rhea’s image.

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The accusations on live television have brought in flake from various viewers and netizens alike, both the channels are not new to this. As a reporter from India, Today was abused and threatened recently for an invasion of privacy of an alleged drug peddler’s residence. On the other hand Republic TV was also called out after their reporter was heard using profane language on-air.