Ravish Kumar is famous as one of India’s most influential television journalists, known for his commitment to people-centric, fact-based, and balanced reporting, especially through his long tenure at NDTV India and as the host of the flagship show Prime Time[1]. His work is celebrated for raising current social issues, conducting serious investigative projects, and giving a voice to under-reported communities and real-life challenges faced by ordinary citizens[1].
Kumar’s reputation rests on his insistence on upholding professional values of journalism, particularly in an era increasingly threatened by sensationalism, fake news, and political pressures. He has distinguished himself by highlighting issues such as the lives of the poor, problems of government employees and farmers, inadequacies in public services, and education—consistently prioritizing depth over sensationalism[1].
He is also recognized for his accessibility and connection to audiences, often interacting directly with viewers both during his travels and via social media to source stories for his show, which he calls “the people’s newsroom”[1].
In recognition of his impact, Ravish Kumar has received several prestigious awards, most notably:
- Ramon Magsaysay Award (2019): Sometimes referred to as the “Asian Nobel Prize,” awarded for his “fearless and truthful journalism”
- Two-time Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award for Best Journalist of the Year (2013, 2017)
- Gauri Lankesh Award for Journalism
- The first Kuldip Nayar Journalism Award (2017)
- Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Award for Hindi Journalism and Creative Literature (2010, awarded in 2014)
- Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in 2023
He is also an author, poet, satirist, and podcaster, having written books in both English and Hindi, further broadening his influence on public discourse[2].