A report published from Kolkata on August 1, 2026 says India’s mainstream media and television news outlets face an unprecedented crisis of public trust alongside widespread journalist layoffs. It attributes the decline in credibility to allegations of biased coverage, political loyalty and failure to address people’s real concerns. The report says some members of the public have begun calling such outlets “godi media,” while television audiences and ratings are falling.

It says viewers are increasingly turning to YouTube channels and social media for news, where independent journalists are described as comparatively more impartial and courageous. Citing veteran journalist Shubho Maitra, the report says 24-hour news channels are in severe distress and that India’s media ranking has fallen to 157 in a global index. Writer-journalist Gautam Basumallik is cited describing reporters learning abruptly that they had lost their jobs.

Based on a social media update, the report says 28 news workers were recently laid off at News18 Bangla. It says affected staff included reporters, desk workers, cameramen, graphic designers and digital employees, while the channel also hired two new anchors and changed its editorial position.