The media that presents pro-government views, especially with the BJP-led NDA government, is being termed Godi media by people with opposing political views.
The aim of the term is to trigger a response from the other side or to label journalism that they do not agree with.
The term is believed to have been coined by Ravish Kumar, a prominent critic of the BJP government.
Origin of the Term
Although my personal experience indicates that the term has been used sparingly before, it is widely credited to Ravish Kumar, who, in my view, popularized the term.
Prominent News Channels Labeled as Godi Media
As in any democracy, the media in India has been labeled Godi Media from time to time based on support for the government.
Some media houses like Republic TV, which openly support the current government, have always been called Godi Media. However, opposed to the popular view, they too have opposed the government on many issues.
Typically, the following TV news channels have been called Godi Media:
- Aaj Tak (Occasionally)
- Zee News
- TV 18
- Republic TV
- Bharat 24
- News Nation
However, news channels like ABP News, India Today, and similar other channels are occasionally called Godi Media despite being critical of the government in several cases.
Prominent Journalists Labeled as Godi Media
- Arnab Goswami (Republic TV)
- Navika Kumar (Times Now)
- Sushant Sinha (Times Now Navbharat)
- Sudhir Chaudhary (Aaj Tak)
- Chitra Tripathi (ABP News)
- Aman Chopra (News18)
- Amish Devgan (News18)
- Anand Narasimhan (News18)
- Rubika Liyaquat (Bharat24)
- Gaurav Sawant (India Today)
- Shiv Aroor (India Today)
- Prachi Parashar (India TV)
- Aditi Tyagi (Bharat Express)
- Ashok Shrivastav (DD News)
Source: Wikipedia.
Calls for Boycott
The Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) had previously called for a boycott of some media channels, calling them Godi Media in the run-up to the 2024 General Elections.
During the NEET Protests at Jantar Mantar in July 2026, several protestors called for a boycott of channels of different news agencies.
Responses Against the Term “Godi Media”
Late veteran journalist Rohit Sardana, a prominent journalist with India Today Network and Aaj Tak, had indeed called (without naming) Ravish Kumar “Godi Media,” citing his influence in the Congress-led UPA government (2004-2014).
Sudhir Chaudhary too leveled similar allegations in his statements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Godi Media name-calling?
We do not believe that Godi Media is name-calling; we rather see it as a validation of being pro-Indian journalism.
