Appointing Rohit Vishwakarma as its new Managing Editor is a calculated move by NDTV India that demonstrates its dedication to digital transformation and reliable journalism. Vishwakarma has more than 20 years of extensive expertise on television and digital platforms, so his return to NDTV is both a brave move forward and a bittersweet homecoming.
In this article, we will delve into Rohit Vishwakarma’s remarkable journey, his vision for NDTV India, and what his appointment means for the future of journalism in a digital-first world.
Credits: NDTV
A Veteran Journalist with a Disruptive Edge
Rohit Vishwakarma provides a potent fusion of audience-first innovation, technological vision, and editorial sensibility. Having worked in the media for more than 21 years, he has established a reputation as one of the few journalists who can move between traditional broadcasting and modern digital media with equal ease.
Vishwakarma, a graduate of MICA and the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), started his career at Star News, where he contributed to some of the most popular primetime programs. Later on, he held important positions in the editorial leadership of Aaj Tak, TV9, NDTV 24×7, India TV, and Editorji, where his editorial and creative ideas were particularly noticeable.
Pioneering Formats Across Genres
What sets Vishwakarma apart is his ability to innovate across content formats and genres. His television career boasts an impressive lineup of shows that combined relevance, storytelling, and public engagement.
- ‘Wah Cricket’ and its segment ‘Match Ka Mujrim’ brought drama and analysis to sports journalism.
- ‘Fund Ka Funda’, a finance show on mutual funds, simplified investments for the average viewer.
- ‘Third Degree’ took crime reporting to a gripping, investigative level.
- For political coverage, ‘Dilli Ke Dil Mein Kya Hai’ captured public sentiment with real-time, on-ground insights, while ‘Uncensored’ offered sharp and fearless newsroom debates.
These shows reflect Vishwakarma’s consistent focus on connecting with viewers at every level—through language, tone, and relevance.
Digital-First Thinking and AI-Led Innovation
As news consumption habits evolved, so did Vishwakarma’s approach. At Editorji, he led an app-first content strategy, pioneering customized news experiences. But his most transformative contribution came during his tenure at RTV News Network, which he launched in 2023.
At RTV, he introduced one of India’s first AI-powered, multilingual video news platforms. The platform allowed users to:
- Curate personalized news playlists
- Record reactions to stories
- Share content across platforms
This shift turned viewers from passive consumers into active participants. During the 2024 Andhra Pradesh elections, RTV’s editorial direction under Vishwakarma pulled off an accurate, large-scale ground survey that not only predicted the fall of the incumbent government but also drew in over one lakh live viewers—a testament to his journalistic intuition and audience engagement strategy.
A Philosophy Rooted in Grounded Journalism
Speaking about his appointment, Vishwakarma shared a powerful vision:
“News can no longer afford to speak from a pedestal. It has to speak from the ground up, and it must do so with honesty, humility, and purpose.”
He emphasized the need to build on NDTV’s longstanding legacy of credibility, while expanding its reach to younger, digitally native audiences who seek transparency, participation, and truth without filters.
A Welcome Return to NDTV
NDTV’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal called the move “both a homecoming and a leap forward.” In his words:
“Rohit’s work speaks to the kind of newsroom we are building — grounded, bold, and built for a new India.”
Vishwakarma’s leadership comes at a critical time, when newsrooms must adapt to changing audience behavior, technology-driven platforms, and a rising demand for authenticity.
Credits: MediaShift
Looking Ahead
Under the leadership of Rohit Vishwakarma, NDTV India is ready to rethink its editorial approach by fusing cutting-edge technology with grassroots journalism. This appointment may usher in a new era of trustworthy, interesting, and participatory journalism as India’s media landscape changes.
