The Interview with Dr. Rashmi Sarmah: Media Priorities, Manufactured Controversies, and the Bigger Picture

Episode 1 of "The Interview" with Dr. Rashmi Sarmah

The media landscape is an ever-evolving beast, and in today's fast-paced world, it often decides what deserves attention and what should conveniently slip into oblivion. Controversies flare up overnight, drowning out conversations that hold deeper societal significance.

So, when the controversy surrounding India’s Got Latent—a show created by Samay Raina and an episode featuring Ranveer Allahbadia—took over social media, I knew it was time for a deeper discussion. The frenzy over what was said, who should apologize, and the legal cases that followed were consuming headlines, while other critical issues—like stampedes at public events, rising inflation, unemployment, and even the deteriorating air quality of our cities—remained underreported.

To dissect the legitimacy of this controversy and explore the broader role of the media, I sat down with Dr. Rashmi Sarmah, an Assistant Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism at Royal Global University. With years of experience analyzing media behavior, she was the perfect voice to break down what’s really happening behind the screens.

The Media’s Obsession with the Trivial

"Have you heard of the latest controversy?" I asked Dr. Sarmah as we began the interview.

"Yes, yes, I've been hearing a lot about it," she responded. "In fact, I didn’t even know about India’s Got Latent until this controversy happened. Now, suddenly, it’s everywhere."

She was right. A show that otherwise may have been a niche interest suddenly found itself at the center of national debates. And as Dr. Sarmah pointed out, the media thrives on moments like this—where a minor controversy is blown out of proportion, shifting public focus away from more pressing matters.

"Of course, what Ranveer Allahbadia said may have been objectionable," she admitted, "but not to the extent that it has been exaggerated. The media is engaging people in something trivial, diverting attention from real issues."

This isn't new. Manufactured outrage sells, while topics that truly impact people’s lives—like unemployment, inflation, and healthcare—struggle to retain audience interest. Sensationalism wins over substance.

Take, for example, the Kumbh Mela stampede or the Delhi Railway Station chaos—both recent tragedies that affected thousands. They barely got the traction they deserved, while the India’s Got Latent controversy made headlines for days.

"This has been happening on and off," Dr. Sarmah continued. "We see it time and again—where the media chooses to highlight someone’s comment over, say, an infrastructural failure that costs lives."

The takeaway? The media doesn’t just report reality—it shapes it.

The Invisible Crisis: Guwahati’s Air Quality and the Silence Around It

From the media’s misplaced priorities, our conversation shifted to something that affects us every single day—yet rarely gets the coverage it deserves.

"Ma’am, what about the AQI of Guwahati?" I asked. "Right now, it’s at dangerous levels. Breathing is difficult, my eyes burn, and yet, no one talks about it."

Her response was immediate.

"I agree with you, Amit. Thank you for bringing it up," she said. "We are in a very bad position, and we should take lessons from Delhi. The problem is, nobody is talking about it—not the media, not the authorities, and not even the citizens."

The reality is stark. According to the World Air Quality Report 2023, several Indian cities rank among the most polluted in the world. Guwahati, too, is seeing alarming increases in air pollution, yet it remains an invisible crisis.

Dr. Sarmah had a theory.

"Maybe people purposely don’t want to acknowledge it," she suggested. "If we start paying attention, it becomes our responsibility to take action. And let’s be honest—taking action is inconvenient."

It was a hard-hitting truth. How often do we complain about pollution while still using multiple vehicles per family, avoiding carpooling, or ignoring deforestation?

"People think, 'It’s not my problem,'" she said. "But it will be. And by then, it’ll be too late."

The Ranveer Allahbadia Controversy: A Case of Selective Targeting?

Coming back to the India’s Got Latent drama, I posed another question.

"Do you think Ranveer Allahbadia is being made an example out of?"

Dr. Sarmah’s response was firm.

"Yes," she said. "And for obvious reasons. He was awarded by the Prime Minister. He caters to the premium, elite section of the audience. He talks about topics that most influencers don’t—like spirituality and the Indian knowledge system. All of this made him an easy target for the media."

It was an interesting perspective. Allahbadia isn’t just another YouTuber—he holds influence over a significant and affluent audience. His association with high-ranking figures in the country makes him more susceptible to scrutiny.

"The moment someone gains independence, they become a threat," I remarked. "We’ve seen people like Dhruv Rathee leave India to produce content from abroad. Even Virat Kohli has chosen to settle outside the country."

Her response was telling.

"Yes. The environment isn’t conducive for independent thinkers. More people are starting to believe that they can’t thrive here. Either their creative freedom is threatened, or they fear repercussions. And I don’t blame them for leaving."

In other words, a culture of fear is brewing—one that stifles dissent, punishes independence, and pushes people to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Advice for Future Journalists: Objectivity in a Polarized World

As our conversation neared its conclusion, I asked Dr. Sarmah what advice she had for young journalists navigating today’s media landscape.

"The most important thing," she said, "is to remember why you chose journalism. If you’re here to bring justice, to uphold truth, and to inform people objectively, then stay committed to that mission."

She emphasized objectivity—a quality that is increasingly rare in an era where prejudice, bias, and agendas often overshadow facts.

"You have to be clear about your role. Journalism isn’t about taking sides—it’s about presenting the truth as it is," she explained. "Yes, it’s scary. Yes, it’s difficult. But the younger generation has the power to shift things."

It was an inspiring note to end on. Despite the media’s shortcomings, there is hope in the next generation of journalists who are conscious of their responsibility.

Final Thoughts: The Bigger Picture

The interview with Dr. Rashmi Sarmah revealed a truth that is both uncomfortable and necessary: we are living in an era where manufactured controversies dominate headlines while crucial issues are sidelined.

The Ranveer Allahbadia controversy isn’t just about what was said on India’s Got Latent—it’s about how the media chooses its battles, who it targets, and why certain stories gain traction while others fade into obscurity.

At the same time, we ignore real problems at our own peril. The worsening air quality of Guwahati is just one example of an urgent issue that barely registers in mainstream discourse.

And finally, independent thinkers and journalists face an increasingly hostile environment, where speaking out can lead to being silenced—or worse, feeling forced to leave.

As media consumers, we have a responsibility to look beyond the headlines, question narratives, and demand coverage of issues that truly matter. And as future journalists, there’s a duty to uphold objectivity, fairness, and truth.

The media doesn’t just reflect society—it shapes it.

The question is, what kind of society do we want to create?