Shocking News: Barkha Dutt leaving NDTV

New Delhi, Feb 16: Indian media industry has been witnessing a change as leading TV journalists are quitting their channels with which they have worked for decades. After Rajdeep Sardesai, Sagarika Ghose, now it is Barkha Dutt's turn.

Dutt, one of the leading television journalists of the country, will leave NDTV. According to sources, she is stepping down from her full-time position at the broadcaster, to set up a media company. [After Sagarika Ghose, Rajdeep Sardesai also quits CNN-IBN]

However, Dutt will continue as consulting editor and work on setting up her own media company and policy group. She will continue hosting two shows that she currently does at the channel-the daily Buck Stops Here and the weekly We The People.

In the official letter, NDTV chairman Prannoy Roy wrote, "Barkha Dutt was only 23 when she joined NDTV as a young reporter cum producer..."

He added, "Now twenty years later we wish her all the very best as she embarks on yet another role with us. Barkha will be moving to the role of Consulting Editor... While her TV relationship with NDTV remains unchanged, in her new role she will be setting up her own multi media content company and policy group."

Full letter written by Prannoy Roy:

Dear All

Barkha Dutt was only 23 when she joined NDTV as a young reporter cum producer. NDTV was the first place she ever worked in and for two decades we have seen her evolve into one of our most prolific reporters. She has been a key member of the NDTV family and a big part of our memorable journey from a production house that created a nightly news bulletin for doordarshan to what we are today. She has worn many hats for NDTV: journalist, anchor, editor and NDTV has been both her learning ground and her second home.

Now twenty years later we wish her all the very best as she embarks on yet another role with us. Barkha will be moving to the role of Consulting Editor. She will remain as closely associated with NDTV as she has all these years as the anchor for Buck Stops Here on weeknights and We The People on weekends. She will also be available as always for analysis and inputs on big news events and stories. While her TV relationship with NDTV remains unchanged, in her new role she will be setting up her own multi media content company and policy group. We have literally seen barkha grow from a child to an adult professional and look forward to our close bonds only strengthening further as she embarks on this new venture.

I know you will join us in wishing Barkha the very very best.

Radhika and Prannoy

OneIndia News