News Broadcasting
News9 Plus exclusive unveiling the journalist behind Rajiv Gandhi Govt’s fall
Mumbai: The pen is mightier than the sword. journalist Chitra Subramaniam whose investigation into the $1.3 billion Bofors arms deal brought down the Congress government in 1989, lives by this credo. A new show by News9 Plus, ‘Exposé’, features Subramaniam at her candid best as she recounts what went on behind the scenes of her decade-long probe into the scandal and reveals exclusive details.
One of the most high-profile investigative journalists in the country, she exposed how the Rajiv Gandhi-led government allegedly received kickbacks for the supply of Swedish Howitzers to the Indian Army. It all began when 29-year-old Subramaniam came across a news item on Swedish radio about the armaments company Bofors bribing top Indian officials. The scandal broke in 1987 based on the testimony of a former Bofors employee who turned whistleblower.
“An accountant in Bofors saw these payments in secret Swiss bank accounts where it said, ‘Do not tell the name of the recipient’. And the accountant said if the money is paid legally, why do we have to hide the name of the recipient?” recalled Subramaniam.
‘Exposé’ is yet another example of News9 Plus’ dedication to serving clutter-cutting content, rich in perspective and in-depth analysis. Produced by News9 Plus’ team of seasoned journalists, the show follows Subramaniam’s investigation process.
She narrated how, through meticulous research and a lot of hard work winning the trust of her sources, she got her hands on documents that formed the foundation of the exposé: payment instructions to banks, secret contracts, minutes of meetings, and the diary of Bofors chief Martin Ardbo.
As she followed the money trail and dug deeper to discover a web of corruption, with the then-PM Rajiv Gandhi at the centre, all hell broke loose in India. “Is it possible for a prime minister of a country to tell so many lies?” asks Subramaniam in the News9 Plus story.
Subramaniam, now 65, also spoke to News9 Plus about the role of the Hindujas and alleged middleman Ottavio Quattrocchi in the scandal. Quattrocchi was believed to be close to the Gandhi family and acted as an agent for the deal. “The day I wrote the piece in the Indian Express, Ottavio Quattrocchi fled India that night. How do you flee when the police, CBI, and everybody else is trying to catch you?”
Despite receiving death threats against herself and her children, she continued to work on the Bofors deal scam for about a decade, piecing together the information to present the whole truth to the public. Slashed car tyres and smashed windows could not deter her.
It was her love for the country and love for her work that kept her going. “I could not stop even after Rajiv Gandhi’s government fell. He had destroyed every institution, the judiciary, the parliament, the executive, even the Army,” she told News9 Plus.
She further revealed that somebody in the Central Bureau of Investigation wanted to frame Amitabh Bachchan in the Bofors case. “You cannot imagine the pressure on me by the VP Singh government to blame Amitabh Bachchan because my word was sacrosanct.”
Subramaniam pointed out that there are still loose ends. “There are documents lying with the CBI. These boxes haven’t been opened yet. Mr Modi, open the boxes, please.”
‘Exposé’ is a must-watch for anyone interested in the groundbreaking investigation that became a classic example of good old hard-hitting journalism. News9 Plus’ best-in-class storytelling and superior production values take you beyond the history-making headlines by Subramaniam. Watch ‘Exposé’, now streaming on News9 Plus.
News Broadcasting
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest overhaul in 15 years
Cost pressures and leadership change drive major workforce reduction plan
LONDON: BBC has unveiled plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, roughly 10 per cent of its global workforce, in what marks its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
The announcement was made during an all-staff meeting led by interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, as the broadcaster moves to tackle mounting financial pressures and reshape its operations.
Between 1,800 and 2,000 roles are expected to be eliminated from a workforce of around 21,500. The cuts form part of a broader plan to save £500 million over the next two years, aimed at offsetting rising costs, stagnating licence fee income and weaker commercial revenues.
In a communication to staff, BBC interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies said, “I know this creates real uncertainty, but we wanted to be open about the challenge,” acknowledging the impact the move would have across the organisation.
The restructuring comes at a time of leadership transition. Former director-general Tim Davie stepped down earlier this month, with Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, set to take over the role on May 18, 2026.
While some cost-cutting measures are being implemented immediately, the majority of the structural changes are expected to roll out over the next few years, with full savings targeted by the 2027–2028 financial year.
The broadcaster had earlier signalled its intent to reduce its cost base by around 10 per cent over a three-year period, warning of “difficult choices” as it adapts to shifting economic realities and audience expectations.
With operating costs hovering around £6 billion annually, the BBC’s latest move underscores the scale of the financial challenge it faces, as it balances public service commitments with the need for long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
