Best Newspaper / Magazine for Current Affairs?

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सभी से सविनय निवेदन है की विषय पे ही लिखें और दुसरे तागों के झगडे - मसले इस तागे पे न लायें.
 
Could be true Kapil, but name a single editor who is completely free from political bias. All of them represent a particular political philosophy and a certain section of society.

I don't like political biases in journalists. Perception of bias is going to be subjective - keeping that in mind, I'd say Shekhar Gupta, MJ Akbar and Manu Joseph appear independent minded to me. There is no problem if someone supports a particular view point. But problem with Vinod Sharma was that he seemed to be resorting to ridiculous arguments as if he was a card carrying member of Congress, while still claiming to be non politically affiliated. Chandan Mitra (editor of Pioneer) is completely biased as well but he appears officially for BJP. Maybe if Vinod Sharma too makes his Congress-leaning official like Chandan has, I'd be a bit softer on him.
 
Prejudiced minds always create bad blood among the members of society on one pretext or the other, hence balanced reporting and balanced editorship(except few exceptions here and there) though much sought after seems to be going down hill day by day.
 
I don't like political biases in journalists. Perception of bias is going to be subjective - keeping that in mind, I'd say Shekhar Gupta, MJ Akbar and Manu Joseph appear independent minded to me. There is no problem if someone supports a particular view point. But problem with Vinod Sharma was that he seemed to be resorting to ridiculous arguments as if he was a card carrying member of Congress, while still claiming to be non politically affiliated. Chandan Mitra (editor of Pioneer) is completely biased as well but he appears officially for BJP. Maybe if Vinod Sharma too makes his Congress-leaning official like Chandan has, I'd be a bit softer on him.

It is my assessment that majority of editors and journalists follow the most popular stream of thought. This is a season of anti-establishment hostility – thanks to Anna Hazare who has brought the gangrene of corruption to the forefront making the gullible people think that corruption is something which has been perpetuated by Congress only and other parties are holy cows. All the media houses have sensed the popular mood and most of them have started shifting their loyalty towards greener pastures. In such circumstances, if a particular editor/journalist stands out, he would obviously be labelled as pro-government. Therefore, it is just a perception that Vinod Sharma is pro-Congress. His association or leaning towards one particular party or philosophy cannot be ruled out as he is also a human being like us. But the important thing to note is his public utterances and his critiques which I find unprejudiced. As against the robust pugnacity, derision and outrageous behaviour of some of his counterparts during TV debates (people like Tavleen Singh, Chandan Mitra and few other saffron-clad journos), he keeps his cool and give very balanced comments.
 
Chandan Mitra is in BJP so he has already expressed his stream of thought,. The problem is, Vinod Sharma tries to look independent and still his opinios are pro-govt. (congress). If he wants to be in favor of govt. (congress), wants to support their policies, no body has a problem but then he should accept it. :)

It is my assessment that majority of editors and journalists follow the most popular stream of thought. This is a season of anti-establishment hostility – thanks to Anna Hazare who has brought the gangrene of corruption to the forefront making the gullible people think that corruption is something which has been perpetuated by Congress only and other parties are holy cows. All the media houses have sensed the popular mood and most of them have started shifting their loyalty towards greener pastures. In such circumstances, if a particular editor/journalist stands out, he would obviously be labelled as pro-government. Therefore, it is just a perception that Vinod Sharma is pro-Congress. His association or leaning towards one particular party or philosophy cannot be ruled out as he is also a human being like us. But the important thing to note is his public utterances and his critiques which I find unprejudiced. As against the robust pugnacity, derision and outrageous behaviour of some of his counterparts during TV debates (people like Tavleen Singh, Chandan Mitra and few other saffron-clad journos), he keeps his cool and give very balanced comments.
 
Chandan Mitra is in BJP so he has already expressed his stream of thought,. The problem is, Vinod Sharma tries to look independent and still his opinios are pro-govt. (congress). If he wants to be in favor of govt. (congress), wants to support their policies, no body has a problem but then he should accept it. :)

It may be your perception and may not be a fact. So, why should he be forced to join any particular stream of thought. He is independent to express his thoughts and I don't see any pro-Congress bias in his comments.
 
It may be your perception too. :)

It may be your perception and may not be a fact. So, why should he be forced to join any particular stream of thought. He is independent to express his thoughts and I don't see any pro-Congress bias in his comments.
 
It is my assessment that majority of editors and journalists follow the most popular stream of thought. This is a season of anti-establishment hostility – thanks to Anna Hazare who has brought the gangrene of corruption to the forefront making the gullible people think that corruption is something which has been perpetuated by Congress only and other parties are holy cows. All the media houses have sensed the popular mood and most of them have started shifting their loyalty towards greener pastures. In such circumstances, if a particular editor/journalist stands out, he would obviously be labelled as pro-government. Therefore, it is just a perception that Vinod Sharma is pro-Congress. His association or leaning towards one particular party or philosophy cannot be ruled out as he is also a human being like us. But the important thing to note is his public utterances and his critiques which I find unprejudiced. As against the robust pugnacity, derision and outrageous behaviour of some of his counterparts during TV debates (people like Tavleen Singh, Chandan Mitra and few other saffron-clad journos), he keeps his cool and give very balanced comments.

I have read quite a few pieces that have criticised Anna team - Manu Joseph and Shekhar Gupta readily come to the mind. I could discern logic in their criticism. There are quite a few voices that come on NDTV (From Aruna Roy's NAC team, Soli Sorabjee, some other lawyers, Shekhar Gupta) that point out Anna's flaws. But most of them also understand public's anger and don't bat for the government. Somehow Vinod Sharma just seems to be echoing Congress' utterances - that is my perception.

Anyways, we have to be much more vigilant against the government, as it has the maximum power and potential for propaganda. I'd say the same thing if it was the BJP govt (like in Gujarat).
 
Agree on this. I have seen Vinod Sharma on ndtv and he looks completely pro-govt.

Barkha Dutt, she doesn't even let the guests talk, self-proclaimed intellectual.

I agree with you. I have seen her on NDTV, interviewing people. Most of the times with Kapil Sibal. Very smartly she would start opposing Kapil Sibal and later on helping him to justify the argument.
 
Which newspaper(s) or magazine(s) do members find great for news and views? Also if you like any specific writers?

Amongst mainstream papers, I think Indian Express is the best for "Opinion" and "Op-Eds" - especially Pratap Bhanu Mehta and Shekhar Gupta. Express also has some good New York Times Opinion pieces.

In magazines, I follow India Today, Open and Outlook off and on. I find Manu Joseph of Open and M J Akbar of India Today.

The Economist for world wide coverage specially on the economy. For regional news(Haryana, Rajeshthan, Punjab): The Tribune, Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran.

For national News: The Hindu, Hindustan Times, TOI(Not bad sometimes :D)
 
For debates on current affairs, I enjoy watching NDTV's The Big Fight every saturday.

Yeah, but even that anchor (whats his name) has become really annoying. I think Left or Right is decent as both Mani Shankar Aiyar and Swapan Das Gupta are quite vocal and the anchor being a junior person, doesn't get hyperactive likes these other NDTV people do.
 
Yeah, but even that anchor (whats his name) has become really annoying. I think Left or Right is decent as both Mani Shankar Aiyar and Swapan Das Gupta are quite vocal and the anchor being a junior person, doesn't get hyperactive likes these other NDTV people do.

hmm. Vikram Chandra does come in the same category where he does not allow others to speak. Takes a full control on how he wants run the full show. But I like the participants very much. Specially from BJP like Chandan Mitra :D. He keeps on struggling against berserk congressi :D(Renuka Chaudhary for instance :D, BTW I don't find logic in her arguments, but she keeps on attacking BJP recklessly). I also like Suhel Seth. He sounds more logical and he knows what he is talking about.
 
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It may be your perception too. :)

भाई perception तो थाणेदार की बहू का गलत होज्या, मेरी और आपकी के बिसात सै I
पर ठीक सै, इब तू नहीं मानण नै त्यार तो न्यू मान ले के मेरा perception गलत सै I
 
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. I think Left or Right is decent as both Mani Shankar Aiyar and Swapan Das Gupta are quite vocal and the anchor being a junior person, doesn't get hyperactive likes these other NDTV people do.

I think Both Mani and Swapan are from same college (St. Stephens) and that could be a reason for harmony between the two stalwarts with strikingly different ideologies. Because Vikram Chandra and Barkha Dutt are also from St. Stephen College, that could, perhaps, be one of the reasons for giving due space to Stephenians in their debates. Shashi Throor is another important show-piece from Stephens who is also frequently invited by them. But he is, indeed, a luminary.
 
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I find huffingtonpost, Dawn and BBC Hindi quite rational and good reads and as for local papers Hindu, Indian Express and IBN Live are fairly readable. Outlook and Tehlka are also nice when it comes to good stories and articles.
 
मैं ही नहीं वी पी जी, कई और भी हैं जिनके विचार मेरे से मिलते जुलते हैं. चलो कोई बात नहीं, हम असहमत होने पर सहमत हो जाते हैं. :)

भाई perception तो थाणेदार की बहू का गलत होज्या, मेरी और आपकी के बिसात सै I
पर ठीक सै, इब तू नहीं मानण नै त्यार तो न्यू मान ले के मेरा perception गलत सै I
 
For debates on current affairs, I enjoy watching NDTV's The Big Fight every saturday.

Ravish Kumar on Prime Time also handles debates in an unbiased manner. Usme ek patrakaar or aaya kare mostly debates me, shayad "Abhay" naam hai uska. Always gives unbiased and genuine views during debates.

In India, editorials and articles in Hindu are generally good. For business "The economic times" and for all other current affairs "CSR" is really handy.


PS : Sabte jhandu channel se AAjtak. sivay "shooo-shoo" ke kuch nahi sunta us channel pe!:boxing:
 
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