US Ambassador Rips Into Indian News TV Debates, Questions Accuracy of Reports

NEW DELHI, Aug 23: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has taken a humorous swipe at Indian television news debates, saying the shows become increasingly chaotic as the evening progresses.

Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum on Saturday, Gor said he enjoys watching Indian television after returning home but finds it increasingly difficult to follow the heated debates.

“I love getting home in the evening and putting on the Indian shows, and the later it gets, the crazier the shows become,” Gor said.

He described how a typical debate might feature eight people arguing at around 6 pm, with the number rising to about 12 by 10 pm, with panelists speaking simultaneously.

“At 6 pm you have eight people arguing on the show, but by 10 pm it's really good. There are 12 people on there and they are all speaking at the exact same time and you can't hear a single one of them,” he joked.

Gor also marveled at the ability of television panelists to continue speaking despite constant interruptions.

“And they must train because it's unbelievable that nobody gets interrupted. They just keep going. No matter what, you just keep talking,” he said.

The US envoy went on to compare Indian television coverage with the American media, saying he had previously believed the United States had a “fake news” problem.

“But some of the things that get reported here are just nowhere close to the mark,” he added.

Gor also recalled an unusual episode involving Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump during their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France.

According to Gor, India had requested that Trump avoid taking questions from journalists during the meeting. He said Trump had asked him beforehand what India planned to raise.

“I told the president, I said, the Indians prefer no questions. He said, sure, no problem,” Gor recalled.

However, when the meeting began in front of journalists and about 50 cameras, Trump changed course after Modi and he delivered their opening remarks.

Trump turned to reporters and asked, “Any questions?”

“And that opened everything up,” Gor said, describing the meeting that followed as a 45-minute press conference in which “everything was on the table.”