NEW DELHI: Sudhir Chaudhary’s newly launched show Decode on DD News has landed in a storm of controversy, facing severe backlash on social media for alleged misinformation and questionable content. Launched on May 15, 2025, Decode was promoted as a flagship program for the state-funded channel, but it has quickly become a lightning rod for criticism.
Allegations of Misinformation and Map Controversy
The controversy began with the very first episode of Decode, where a video clip claimed to showcase India’s air defense system. However, viewers identified the footage as a four-year-old video from Israel, not India. The misleading presentation was widely condemned as an instance of “fake news” being aired on a taxpayer-funded platform.
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Another major controversy erupted when the show allegedly displayed a graphic misrepresenting parts of Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistan-occupied territory (PoK). In a country with strict cartographic regulations, this was seen as a severe blunder, sparking outrage among viewers who accused the show of undermining India’s territorial integrity.
Sanjay Dixit Slams DD News and Sudhir Chaudhary
The backlash against Decode intensified when Sanjay Dixit, a prominent commentator and social media influencer, criticized the program’s launch in a fiery post on X (formerly Twitter). Dixit directly questioned the decision to replace the popular show Do Took with Decode, suggesting that the move was against nationalist interests.
Whoever removed Do Took from the 9 PM slot of @DDNewslive is definitely in bed with the enemies of @narendramodi – otherwise why would anyone remove the best nationalist show among all channels with the plastic like insipid show of Sudhir Chaudhary by paying 16 Cr.
— Sanjay Dixit ಸಂಜಯ್ ದೀಕ್ಷಿತ್ संजय दीक्षित (@Sanjay_Dixit) May 18, 2025
“Whoever removed Do Took from the 9 PM slot of @DDNewslive is definitely in bed with the enemies of @narendramodi – otherwise why would anyone remove the best nationalist show among all channels with the plastic-like insipid show of Sudhir Chaudhary by paying 16 Cr.”
Dixit’s comment not only attacked the editorial decision but also brought attention to the ₹16 crore fee reportedly paid to Sudhir Chaudhary for hosting the show, raising questions about the financial management of DD News.
Public Outrage and Calls for Accountability
Social media platforms have been flooded with criticism of Decode, with many users accusing DD News of promoting misinformation and wasting public funds. A Reddit thread discussing the show’s premiere labeled it as “state-funded propaganda” and criticized Sudhir Chaudhary for failing to maintain journalistic integrity.
Sudhir Chaudhry is joining DD News from April this year.
He will be getting approx ₹14 crore package from taxpayers’ money. pic.twitter.com/62q2Jxv24X
— Rohit Singh (@RohitSi70785609) February 21, 2025
Many users on X (formerly Twitter) accused DD News of becoming “godi media,” a term used to describe media outlets perceived as biased towards the government. Others pointed out Chaudhary’s controversial past, including allegations of communal reporting during his tenure at Zee News and Aaj Tak, where he hosted shows like DNA and Black & White.
The killing of DDNews in India and making of another Godi in India !!! https://t.co/nYOXeXpHmj
— Ashok Kapoor (@ashoktweets) May 18, 2025
Sudhir Chaudhary’s journalistic career has not been without controversy. In 2012, Chaudhary, along with his then-colleague Samir Ahluwalia, was arrested and sent to Tihar Jail in a high-profile extortion case. Although Chaudhary was later granted bail.
Silence from DD News and Sudhir Chaudhary
Despite the growing uproar, neither DD News nor Sudhir Chaudhary has issued any official statement addressing the allegations of misinformation, the map controversy, or the ₹16 crore payment claim. This silence has only fueled further speculation and criticism, with many calling for transparency and accountability from the state-funded broadcaster.
The controversy around Decode has brought to the forefront critical questions about editorial responsibility and financial transparency at DD News. As calls for accountability grow louder, the channel and Sudhir Chaudhary will have to address the backlash if they hope to regain public trust.
