US Ambassador called out Indian TV news, taking aim at increasingly chaotic nature of prime-time debates.
Speaking at The Economic Times, the ambassador said he enjoys watching Indian news programmes after returning home, but said the shows become dramatically more intense with time.
He described the contrast between the early and late-evening broadcasts, saying a programme around 6pm may feature roughly eight people arguing, while by 10 pm the panel can grow to around 12 participants.
US Ambassador sums up the current state of Indian news channels 😀
The later it gets, the crazier the shows become.
So, 6pm, you might have 8 people arguing.
By 10pm, it’s really good… 12 people on there, they all speaking at the exact same time. You can’t hear a single one…
— Kamran Yousaf (@Kamran_Yousaf) August 24, 2026
The real spectacle, according to the ambassador, begins when all the guests start speaking at the same time. He joked that viewers can barely understand what is being said because “you can’t hear a single one of them.” He also wondered whether the panellists receive special training, given their apparent ability to continue talking despite constant interruptions.
“No matter what, you just keep talking,” he said while describing the heated exchanges. The ambassador then turned the joke toward the wider media landscape, saying he watches the news regularly and had once believed that the United States had a “fake news” problem.
His comments pointed, albeit humorous, glimpse into the perception of Indian television debates, where large panels, simultaneous arguments and increasingly confrontational exchanges have become a familiar feature of prime-time news.
India’s prime-time news features high-decibel debates, accusations and confrontational anchors. Arnab Goswami is one of the most infamous figures linked to this format, while other major anchors have adopted similarly aggressive styles.
These Indian TV programmes can prioritise drama, sensationalism and audience ratings over calm, substantive discussion. Republic TV and other broadcasters have also faced controversies over alleged television-rating manipulation, although such allegations have been disputed.
Goswami’s broadcasting style additionally faced regulatory scrutiny, including an Ofcom ruling involving Republic Bharat over a heated on-air confrontation.
Republic TV Broadcast ‘Hijacked’ during prime-time show of Indian host Arnab Goswami
