MAM
Madhu Soman speaks out on why he stepped away from Indian TV news
Former media executive reflects on editorial independence and industry pressures.
MUMBAI: Sometimes the toughest newsroom story is the one about the newsroom itself. Madhu Soman, former chief business officer at Zee Media Corporation Ltd., has offered a candid reflection on why he chose to step away from the organisation and what his experience reveals about the evolving state of journalism in India.
Soman, who spent years with global news organisations including Reuters and Bloomberg, had returned to India after a long international career to take up a leadership role in broadcast news. The move represented a shift in his professional journey from reporting stories to working on the business side of news operations.The transition back home, however, proved more complicated than expected.
“I can’t name names but two leading networks informally said I’m among the best media execs around in the news industry but someone like me fronting a news network is a business risk”, Soman said in conversation with Indian Television Dot Com.
“Journalism’s job is simple, ask hard questions and hold power accountable. Keep it honest. As Marty Baron said, ‘We’re not at war with the government. We’re at work.’ That principle applies to anyone in a position of influence in government, business, sport, or entertainment. At the same time, the news industry is facing challenges from every direction authoritarian regimes that resist scrutiny and rapid technological change, including AI, that is reshaping and often undermining its traditional business model. There’s also a growing credibility deficit as the race for eyeballs rewards whoever delivers the news first rather than whoever confirms it best.”, he added.
Reflecting on the experience, Soman said the opportunity to work in India’s television news ecosystem was initially appealing, even if he recognised that returning to the country’s competitive and politically charged media environment came with its own challenges.“WION and Zee Business were the reason I chose to return to India after long years with Reuters and Bloomberg, transitioning from telling stories to selling them. The landing strip back home was always narrow, but it was one I was happy to take,” he wrote. But the professional runway, he admitted, turned out to be shorter than anticipated.
“It didn’t take very long to realise that my runway within Zee Media Corporation Ltd. was going to be rather short. Let’s just say I was a cultural misfit,” Soman said, adding that despite the brevity of the stint, he valued the colleagues he worked with and the friendships that emerged during the period.
After leaving the organisation in 2024, Soman spent nearly two years in discussions with several leading television networks before arriving at a sobering conclusion about the industry. Reflecting on the period, he wrote that the experience helped him understand “the difference between being unemployed and being unemployable,” adding that he has now decided to return home to Trivandrum because “the kind of journalism I’m used to makes me unemployable.”
“Having worked both in journalism and on the business side, I’m also conscious that running a media organisation today means being a pragmatic P&L owner. The challenge is to keep investing in strong journalism while making the economics work at a time when a growing share of the industry’s revenue is increasingly being captured by technology platforms. If we drop the ball on accuracy and trust, we do a grave disservice to the very democracy we’re meant to serve”, he said.
Further adding, “Since I’ve straddled the worlds of both content and commerce, that experience teaches you that good journalism and good business strategy are not opposites. In fact, the best media businesses are built when editorial integrity, audience trust, and sustainable economics reinforce each other. And ultimately, none of it works without strong teams. Leadership in media is as much about building people and institutions as it is about building products.
“It was one such exchange that delivered the moment of clarity, a news network led by someone whose instincts were shaped by journalism rooted in independence, accuracy and editorial distance from power was unlikely to find favour with the powers that be”.
His remarks offer a rare insider’s view of the pressures shaping India’s television news ecosystem, a space where editorial direction, business realities and political sensitivities often intersect. Beyond the personal dimension of his decision, Soman used the moment to reflect on the broader challenges confronting journalism globally.
The industry today faces pressures from multiple directions, governments that resist scrutiny, rapid technological disruption and the rise of artificial intelligence, which is transforming how news is produced, distributed and monetised. At the same time, the race for audience attention in the digital era has intensified competition among news outlets, often rewarding those who break stories first rather than those who verify them most carefully. Soman warned that this environment risks eroding public trust in journalism.
“There’s a growing credibility deficit as the race for eyeballs rewards whoever delivers the news first rather than whoever confirms it best,” he noted. Having worked on both sides of the industry editorial and commercial Soman also acknowledged that running a modern media organisation requires balancing journalistic values with financial sustainability.
With a growing share of advertising revenue flowing toward technology platforms, traditional news organisations are under increasing pressure to maintain strong reporting while ensuring the economics of their business remain viable.
For Soman, the conclusion of this chapter comes with a return to his hometown of Trivandrum, stepping away from Delhi NCR, a city he describes as both demanding and unforgettable.
“Delhi NCR has a way of testing your patience, your stamina and occasionally your sanity. But it also leaves you with stories that will last a lifetime,” he said.Despite the frustrations he encountered, Soman says he leaves the experience with no bitterness.“I didn’t sell my soul. Some things, after all, aren’t for sale.
”For a journalist who has spent decades navigating the worlds of reporting, broadcasting and media strategy, the next chapter may still be unwritten but the principles guiding it remain unchanged,” he says at last.
Brands
Mana Projects names Ranbir Kapoor brand ambassador amid rebranding
Bengaluru developer unveils new identity focused on design and nature.
MUMBAI: When real estate meets reel star power, the foundation for a new brand story is often laid brick by brick. Mana Projects, the Bengaluru based real estate developer, has appointed actor Ranbir Kapoor as its brand ambassador while unveiling a refreshed brand identity aimed at aligning the company with the evolving expectations of modern urban homebuyers.
The announcement marks a new phase for the developer, which has spent over two decades building residential communities in Bengaluru, particularly along emerging growth corridors such as Sarjapur Road.
The updated brand identity reflects the company’s emphasis on design led living and environmentally conscious development. According to the developer, the new positioning focuses on creating residential spaces where architecture, nature, engineering and lifestyle planning work together to shape meaningful living experiences.
Mana Projects chairman and managing director D. Kishore Reddy said the rebranding represents a natural progression as the company adapts to the expectations of a new generation of homeowners.
“This rebranding represents the natural evolution of Mana Projects as we align ourselves with the aspirations of a new generation of homeowners, particularly millennials who form the backbone of Bengaluru’s dynamic homebuyer community,” Reddy said.
He added that today’s buyers increasingly look beyond basic housing to spaces that combine design, sustainability and a strong sense of community.
“At Mana, our philosophy centres on creating homes where space is purposeful, design is intelligent, nature is respected and engineering ensures long term sustainability. Our association with Ranbir Kapoor reflects this new chapter as we continue to build communities that enable people to truly live brilliantly,” he said.
Kapoor, who has been associated with several lifestyle and consumer brands, said the partnership resonated with his own understanding of what makes a home meaningful.
“A home is one of the most meaningful investments people make in their lives, and it should reflect comfort, warmth and a sense of belonging,” Kapoor said.
“What impressed me about Mana Projects is the brilliance of their thought, the way design, nature and functionality come together to enhance everyday living. I’m delighted to be associated with Mana Projects as they continue to create homes that inspire modern urban families to truly live brilliantly.”
The collaboration will be introduced through a large scale integrated campaign spanning digital platforms, outdoor media and experiential activations, making it one of the developer’s most prominent branding initiatives in recent years.
Founded in Bengaluru, Mana Projects has built a portfolio of residential developments that emphasise thoughtful architecture, amenity rich neighbourhoods and environmentally sensitive planning. The company’s projects often integrate open spaces, green landscapes and energy efficient engineering to support sustainable urban living.
With Bengaluru continuing to attract young professionals and technology workers, the developer believes the city’s housing market is increasingly being shaped by buyers seeking well planned communities that balance functionality with quality of life.
Looking ahead, Mana Projects plans to expand its presence across the city by developing future ready residential projects designed to accommodate emerging lifestyle trends such as hybrid work culture, community driven living and multigenerational households.
By combining a refreshed brand identity with a high profile ambassador, the company hopes to strengthen its position in Bengaluru’s competitive real estate market while appealing to a new generation of homeowners seeking homes that blend design, nature and modern living.
