Pushpanath Krishna

It was an honour to hang out with the legendary BBC journalist and HARDtalk interviewer/presenter, Stephen Sackur, after he invited me to his home in London last night. We talked about the state of global journalism today and how fake news websites and social media influencers are being used by rogue regimes to spread falsehoods in failed attempts to discredit those fighting corruption, bad governance and demanding better societies. I explained to him the story of Zimbabwean journalist and political prisoner Blessed Mhlanga, and how dangerous it is to be a journalist in Zimbabwe today, and also how Mhlanga’s jailing without trial is meant to instil fear in Zimbabwean journalists by the corrupt dictatorship! I also told Stephen how HARDtalk was a key news staple for many Africans, especially those in public policy, and how sad it is for its huge global audience to see it go. HARDtalk has interviewed all consequential African and global leaders, making it an iconic television programme, whose decision to be shut down still boggles many people’s minds. I am linked to Stephen Sackur’s next media project—an exciting time, knowing that someone of his immense talent and experience will ensure that history has no blank pages. His extensive experience and dedication to journalism will continue to make an impact on the industry. His work on HARDtalk has provided a platform for critical discussions and in-depth interviews with key global figures, and it's clear that his passion for rigorous, independent journalism remains strong. Keep an eye out for future announcements regarding Stephen’ next venture, as it will be both informative and engaging.