Ishadrita Lahiri Interview
Q. You report on some intense and sensitive issues. What usually draws you to a story in the first place?
I think for most good reporters, what draws them to a story are the people behind it. The voices, the experiences, the raw human emotion. “What voices will I get?” is a question I ask myself before I start any story.
Q. If you could guest-edit one special issue focused on a subject you believe deserves deeper public conversation, what theme would you choose, and why?
The theme would be mental health and its vast range. I think in India we haven’t begun to scratch the surface of the mental health conversation and not many in society know how to react to bad mental health. We maybe know how to react to someone with depression, but what about someone with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia or ADHD? What measures do we as a society take to ensure we account for people dealing with this and their struggles in our daily life? Are our workplaces equipped to handle them? What about the conversations on mental health outside urban spaces? These are discussions we need to start having.
Q. You’ve worked with different newsrooms over the years. How has that journey shaped the way you approach your work today?
I’ve had the privilege of working in both legacy media and digital-first news startups. I think this journey and the mix between everyday and feature reporting, has taught me to balance style and substance. I learnt and am trying to perfect the art of telling something very important but in a way that is best understandable and engaging to different kinds of audiences.
Q. A lot of your stories deal with identity and conflict. How do you stay emotionally grounded while telling these stories honestly?
I’m a very emotional person. And inspite of being told otherwise, I think it is my biggest strength as a reporter. The fact that I can emotionally feel my surroundings, strike a meaningful conversation with people when they’re at their most vulnerable, and listen to them empathetically as they share their vulnerabilities is what I’m best at. It has formed the core of all my reporting- from hardcore political stories to softer lifestyle pieces.
Q. You switch between languages and audiences. Do you notice a shift in how people respond depending on how the story is told?
Every language has its own audience and also its own style. The way I write for a Hindi-first piece is different from how I write for an English-first piece or a Bangla-first piece. The storytelling needs to be done as per the platform. Stories usually work best in the platform that they’re written for.
Q. Serious journalism doesn’t always get easy attention online. How do you make people stop, watch, and care about complex issues?
I know I keep saying this, but it’s the emotions. Emotions are universal. Everyone knows what’s it like to feel sad, angry, happy, jealous, desperate. They may have felt it for different reasons but they do. A person may not be attracted to the issue, but the person could be attracted to the emotion behind the face on the screen and in your words. And once that happens, they want to know more.
Q. Your work appears to balance journalism with sharp editorial perspective. How do you ensure your voice remains distinctive while maintaining the objectivity audiences expect from credible media professionals?
I think in today’s media landscape, sharp editorial balance is in itself a distinctive voice. There are very few organisations left that may pay careful attention to ensure balance in their journalism. I’m a stickler for this and I think that makes my journalism stand out.
Q. Outside of work, what helps you disconnect and come back with a fresh perspective?
This will sound odd but what helps me disconnect is just watching content or doing things that won’t require me to invest emotionally or intellectually. That’s something I have to do all day long. So, don’t be surprised if you come to my home one evening and find me watching Roadies, Splitsvilla or Bigg Boss!
Q. Be honest, what’s more stressful, chasing a breaking story or trying to get one clean take on camera?
Definitely trying to get a clean take on camera! You can make me chase breaking stories all day. I don’t think being on camera is my strength. I keep saying that I’m a good reporter but a bad presenter!
Bio:
Ishadrita Lahiri is a senior reporter and presenter whose career spans some of India’s most influential media organizations, including BBC News India, The Print, The Quint, and NDTV. With a strong foundation in journalism and public storytelling, she has built a reputation for sharp reporting, compelling presentation, and thoughtful audience engagement across digital and broadcast platforms. A St. Stephen’s College alumna, Ishadrita combines editorial depth with cultural awareness, covering complex social and political issues while making them accessible to wider audiences. Her journey reflects the evolution of modern journalism, where credibility, versatility, and strong personal voice are equally essential.
Interviewed by: Abhisek Rath
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