Sudhir Chaudhary to Steer Prasar Bharati?

In a strategic move to enhance its perception and outreach, Prasar Bharati is set to onboard senior journalist Sudhir Chaudhary.

Sudhir Chaudhary is expected to join the autonomous public broadcaster by April-May 2025, bringing along a team of 25-30 professionals from his current organization.

While his appointment signals a new direction, it has also raised several concerns within Prasar Bharati. One key issue is the significant pay package, which has sparked internal discussions.

Another point of contention revolves around editorial authority—will content decisions continue to rest with officials, or will there be a shift in control?

Additionally, questions arise about the future of other high-profile nationalist anchors and how their roles might evolve in this changing landscape.

Sudhir Chaudhary Likely to Join DD News Amid Speculation Over Pay Package

Currently Sudhir is Aaj Tak’s prime-time anchor, and is reportedly set to join the government-run DD News in April 2025. Social media discussions suggest he has been offered an annual package of ₹14 crore, sparking widespread debate.

Journalist Shruti Sharma hinted at the development in a post on X, stating, “Sudhir Chaudhary is joining DD News from April this year, my sources say,” while raising concerns over the alleged taxpayer-funded salary.

Chaudhary, formerly the Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Zee Media, left the network in June 2022 due to creative differences and later joined Aaj Tak. Renowned for hosting DNA on Zee News, he currently presents Black & White on Aaj Tak.

His career has also been marred by controversies, including a 2023 case filed by Karnataka police for allegedly disrupting communal harmony and a 2024 case under the SC/ST Act in Jharkhand, for which he was later granted relief.

Speculation surrounding his potential move to DD News has ignited discussions on whether the government is steering the public broadcaster toward a more private-news-style approach.

Notably, DD News recently underwent a rebranding, emphasizing “accuracy over speed” and “truth over sensationalism.”

An official confirmation regarding Chaudhary’s appointment and salary package is still awaited.

There is also widespread speculation about how Prasar Bharati will manage the professional and ideological baggage associated with Chaudhary.

The government’s stance on these concerns remains to be seen.

Notably, this is not the first time he has been approached for a role at Prasar Bharati. However, previous negotiations fell through as the expected level of endorsement was not met.