A recent podcast interview with fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, done by influencer Raj Shamani, has stirred up a heated debate online. Many people found it interesting and welcomed the chance to hear Mallya’s side of the story after nine years. Others called it a PR stunt, questioning whether podcasters can ever replace journalists when it comes to asking the tough questions.

I followed the conversation and reactions closely, including the public posts on platforms like LinkedIn. While I found the interview conversational and watchable, it left me thinking—what really separates podcasting from journalism today? And are we blurring the lines too casually?

There is no doubt that podcasts have become a powerful format. They are informal, long-form, and allow for relaxed conversations. Podcasters like Raj Shamani, Ranveer Allahbadia and others have built huge audiences. They get big guests, talk about ideas and connect with people, especially the younger crowd.

But I often find myself asking—where is the credibility? Many of these podcasters are not trained journalists. Their primary job is being influencers. Their income depends on views, brand deals, and being liked. That puts them in a very different space from traditional journalists.

In the Mallya episode, for instance, he got to speak at length about his side of the story. But there were no interruptions, no tough questions, no challenges. He wasn`t asked about unpaid Kingfisher employees, legal cases or extradition. It looked more like a soft feature than an interview meant to dig for truth.

Interestingly, I’ve seen many people defend podcasters and criticize today’s journalists. They say TV news has become biased, noisy and aligned with political or corporate interests. That’s true to some extent. Many news channels today are focused on drama, shouting matches and agenda-pushing rather than real stories.

But that doesn’t mean good journalism isn’t happening. It’s just that real journalism is often drowned out in the noise.

Journalists like Rajdeep Sardesai, Rahul Kanwal, Shekhar Gupta, Raj Chengappa and others have done hard interviews, tough field stories and deep investigations over the years. I’ve seen how they ask uncomfortable questions, how they back their claims with facts and how they hold people accountable. That’s not easy work—and it definitely doesn’t bring quick likes or views.

In my view, the difference between a journalist and a podcaster isn’t just about platform—it’s about intent. A journalist’s job is to ask questions, seek the truth, verify facts and serve the public interest. A podcaster’s job, more often than not, is to entertain, share opinions and grow their brand.

That doesn’t mean podcasters are bad. Some of them have opened up new ways of storytelling. They have made long conversations fashionable again. They have helped bring back curiosity. But when the same podcasters are used to present fugitives, controversial figures or sensitive stories without proper context or checks, the lines start to blur.

The Real Issue: The Audience

Honestly, the bigger issue is not with podcasters or journalists—it’s with the audience. Why are we okay with consuming half-baked stories? Why do we get impressed by soothing voices or stylish editing and forget to ask—where’s the truth?

We say we want better journalism. But we often reward clickbait, gossip and one-sided stories with our time and attention. That’s what encourages this content to grow.

As someone who has seen the world of news from inside, I can say this—hardcore journalism still exists. Reporters are still going out, asking real questions and filing serious stories. But they don’t get the attention they deserve, because noise sells louder than facts.

I believe podcasts and journalism can co-exist. But we need to be clear about their roles. Podcasts can offer insight, stories, and even emotion. But journalism must continue to dig deeper, question power, and speak truth—even if it’s uncomfortable.

Let us not confuse a personal conversation with a real investigation. Let us not trade credibility for popularity. If we want better content, we need to become better audiences. And that, I feel, is the real debate we should be having.

(The writer is Founder of www.nyoooz.com and an acclaimed journalist with a National Award of Online News Innovation)

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