Prannoy roy
Prannoy Roy is an Indian journalist, media entrepreneur, and economist, best known as the co-founder of New Delhi Television (NDTV). He played a key role in revolutionizing television journalism in India, pioneering data-driven election analysis and setting new standards for independent and ethical news reporting. [1]
Prannoy Roy 
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| Born | October 15, 1949 Calcutta, West Bengal, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | Queen Mary University of London (Economics) Delhi School of Economics (Ph.D. in Econometrics) |
| Occupation | Journalist, Media Entrepreneur, Economist |
| Known for | Co-founder of NDTV Pioneering election analysis in India |
| Spouse | Radhika Roy |
Early Life and Education
Prannoy Roy was born on October 15, 1949, in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. His father was a British executive in the Indian Railways, while his mother was an educationalist.
Roy pursued his higher education in economics, earning a degree from Queen Mary University of London. He later specialized in econometrics, completing his Ph.D. from the Delhi School of Economics. His expertise in data analysis and statistics later became the foundation of his election forecasting and political journalism. [2]
Early Career and Entry into Journalism
Before entering journalism, Prannoy Roy was a successful economist and chartered accountant. He worked as a consultant for the World Bank and the Indian government. However, his passion for public discourse led him to explore television journalism.
In the 1980s, he became a household name by co-hosting election analysis for Doordarshan, India's state-run television network. His data-driven approach, backed by accurate polling methods, introduced a new dimension to election coverage, making political analysis more engaging and accessible. [3]
Founding NDTV: A Game-Changer for Indian Media
In 1988, Prannoy Roy, along with his wife Radhika Roy, founded NDTV (New Delhi Television), India's first private news production company. NDTV initially produced news segments for Doordarshan, but it soon expanded, becoming synonymous with independent journalism.
In 1998, NDTV partnered with Star India to launch India’s first 24-hour news channel. By 2003, NDTV became an independent network, launching:
- NDTV 24x7 (English)
- NDTV India (Hindi)
- NDTV Profit (Business news)
Under Roy’s leadership, NDTV became a trusted source of news, known for its commitment to journalistic integrity, investigative journalism, and in-depth reporting. [4]
Impact on Indian Journalism
Prannoy Roy is widely credited with modernizing television journalism in India. His key contributions include:
- Election Coverage: NDTV’s election analysis, led by Roy, became the benchmark for political reporting in India.
- Breaking the Monopoly of State Media: Before private news channels, Doordarshan was the only televised news source. NDTV democratized the media landscape.
- Promoting Investigative Journalism: NDTV exposed major corruption scandals and governance failures.
- Upholding Ethical Journalism: Roy maintained NDTV’s credibility, emphasizing unbiased reporting.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite its success, NDTV and Prannoy Roy faced several challenges:
- Regulatory Pressures: NDTV’s critical stance on government policies led to scrutiny and financial investigations.
- Legal Battles: The network was subject to tax investigations, which some viewed as politically motivated attempts to curb independent journalism.
- Corporate Takeover: In 2022, the Adani Group acquired a controlling stake in NDTV, leading to a leadership change. Prannoy and Radhika Roy resigned from their directorial positions, marking the end of an era. [5]
Legacy and Influence
Prannoy Roy’s influence on Indian journalism is profound. His work reshaped television news, setting high standards for credibility and in-depth analysis. Even after leaving NDTV, he remains an important voice in media, often contributing editorials and books on India’s political and economic landscape.
Conclusion
Prannoy Roy has left an indelible mark on Indian journalism. As a pioneer of independent television news, his commitment to ethical journalism, election analysis, and investigative reporting has influenced generations of journalists. His career stands as a testament to the power of free media in a democracy.
References
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prannoy_Roy
- ↑ https://wikibio.in/prannoy-roy/
- ↑ https://www.ndtv.com/authors/prannoy-roy-5955
- ↑ https://starsunfolded.com/prannoy-roy/
- ↑ https://www.pgurus.com/two-years-after-gautam-adanis-take-over-cbi-closes-icici-bank-fraud-case-against-ndtv-promoters-prannoy-roy-and-wife/