The Daily Express arrived in India with a mission: to provide on-the-ground reporting of the world’s largest election.
In a launch video at the Taj St James’s, Assistant Editor Sam Stevenson explained that his goal was to experience India’s vibrant democracy firsthand and to enhance British media’s coverage of it. In Delhi, Stevenson aimed to counter negative stereotypes and misconceptions about India prevalent in the UK and the West. He also sought to understand and evaluate the narratives suggesting that democracy in India is under threat.
During his stay, Stevenson found a celebration of democracy unparalleled in the UK. His reports, highlighting the positive aspects of India, offered a perspective that many in the West may have overlooked. Within a week of his arrival, his impactful stories earned him a spot on national television, where he addressed an audience of 80 million viewers on a prime-time Sunday evening. This response underscored how his work resonated with the Indian public.
Republic TV, India’s leading news channel, featured Stevenson in a panel discussion. Indians, proud of their heritage, often feel “sad” rather than angry about Western portrayals, as Republic TV anchor Shawan Sen noted. During the discussion with host Abhishek Kapoor and Aman Bhogal from the Global Britain Centre, Stevenson shared his observations, which contradicted his initial expectations. He described India as a “vibrant, free, open democracy” filled with festive celebrations and a carnival-like atmosphere. He urged other reporters to join him in covering these positive stories from the ground.
Bhogal, a British-Indian advocating for stronger UK-India relations, echoed these sentiments. He quoted Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, emphasizing that India will become an even more crucial partner for the UK in the coming decades, surpassing the significance of the US. Bhogal concluded by stating, “India matters to Britain because Modi matters to India,” highlighting the importance of this bilateral relationship.
