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{{short description|Indian journalist (born 1966)}}
{{short description|Indian journalist and politician (born 1966)}}
{{multiple issues|
{{original research|date=January 2018}}
{{BLP sources|date=January 2018}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder  
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific_suffix =[[Member of Parliament (India)|MP]]
| honorific_suffix =  
| image             = John Brittas MP.jpg
| image           = John Brittas MP.jpg
| image_size         = 250px
| image_size       = 250px
|office=[[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| caption          = Brittas
|term_start=8 June 2021
| office           = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| predecessor = [[K. K. Ragesh]]
| term_start       = 8 June 2021
|constituency =[[List of Rajya Sabha members from Kerala|Kerala]]
| predecessor     = [[K. K. Ragesh]]
|module=
| constituency     = [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Kerala|Kerala]]
{{Infobox person
| module           = {{Infobox person
|embed=yes
| embed       = yes
| name               = John Brittas
| name       = John Brittas
| party = [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]
| other_names = '''Brittas'''
| caption           = John Brittas MP 2022 at Kollam
| party       = [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]]
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1966|5|15|df=yes}}
| caption     = John Brittas MP 2022 at Kollam
| birth_place       = [[Kannur]], Kerala, India
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1966|5|15|df=yes}}
| education          = {{Ubl
| birth_place = [[Kannur]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]
   | [[Sir Syed College (Taliparamba)]], [[Kannur]]([[Pre-University course|pre-degree]])
| alma_mater  = {{Ubl
   | [[Payyanur College]], [[Kannur]], [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]]
   | [[Sir Syed College (Taliparamba)]], [[Kannur]] ([[Pre-University course|pre-degree]])
   | [[Sree Kerala Varma College]], [[Thrissur]], [[Master of Arts|M.A.]] in [[Political Sciences]]
   | Payyanur College, [[Kannur]], ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
   | [[Sree Kerala Varma College]], [[Thrissur]]<br/> ([[Master of Arts|MA]]) in [[Political Sciences]]<br/>[[Jawaharlal Nehru University]] ([[PhD]])
   }}
   }}
| occupation         = [[Journalist]]
| occupation = [[Journalist]]
| known_for         = Managing Director of [[Kairali TV]] and former Business head of [[Asianet Communications Limited]], Member of [[Rajya Sabha]]
| known_for   = Managing Director of [[Kairali TV]] and former Business head of Asianet Communications
| television         = [[Kairali TV]], [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]]
Member of [[Rajya Sabha]]
| spouse             = Sheba
| television     =  
| children           = 2
[[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]]<br/>
[[Kairali TV]]
| spouse     = '''Sheeba'''
| children   = 2
| website    = {{URL|Brittas.in}}
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''John Brittas''' is an Indian politician, [[journalist]], managing director of [[Kairali TV]] (Malayalam Communications, Ltd.) and former Business Head of [[Asianet Communications]]. He was elected to [[Rajya Sabha]] from Kerala as [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]] nominee on 24 April 2021 and took oath on 8 June 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=John Brittas, MV Sivadasan, others take oath as Rajya Sabha members|url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news-amp.php?id=567065&u=|access-date=2021-06-09|website=keralakaumudi.com}}</ref>
'''John Brittas''', is an Indian politician, journalist, and managing director and chief editor of Malayalam Communications Ltd., which owns the entertainment channel [[Kairali TV]] and the news channel Kairali News.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}} He is also the former Business Head of another entertainment channel in South India, [[Asianet (TV channel)]]. He is a parliamentarian who has represented the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] in the upper house of the Indian Parliament since June 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=John Brittas, MV Sivadasan, others take oath as Rajya Sabha members|url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=567065&u=|access-date=2021-06-09|website=keralakaumudi.com}}</ref> He was one of the advisors to the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri [[Pinarayi Vijayan]] from 2016 till 2021. He is currently the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]] deputy parliamentary party leader in [[Rajya Sabha]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=ഡെസ്‌ക് |first=വെബ് |title=ബികാഷ് രഞ്ജന്‍ ഭട്ടാചാര്യ രാജ്യസഭയിലെ സി പി എം കക്ഷി നേതാവ് |url=https://www.sirajlive.com/bikash-ranjan-bhattacharya-is-the-cpm-party-leader-in-the-rajya-sabha.html?s |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Siraj Daily |language=ml}}</ref>
 
He has been a member of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]] since October 2024 and member of the Parliamentary Committee on [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)]] since September 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Member's Bio-Profile, Dr. John Brittas |url=https://sansad.in/rs/members/biography/2498 |publisher=Rajya Sabha, Parliament of India |access-date=February 14, 2025}}</ref> According to Indian parliamentary data by [[PRS Legislative Research]], Dr. John Brittas is one of the most active members in parliamentary debates and discussions, having participated in 889 debates—nearly ten times the national average of 90.3 and significantly higher than the state average of 336.2. With a 94% attendance record, 375 questions raised (well above the national average of 168.52), and 16 [[Private Member’s Bill|Private Member’s Bills]] introduced (compared to the national average of 1.2), his engagement in legislative proceedings stands out among his peers.<ref>John Brittas, Parliamentary Activity, PRS Legislative Research, https://prsindia.org/mptrack/rajya-sabha/john-brittas Retrieved on February 14, 2025</ref>
 
==Early life and education==
John Brittas was born on 15 May 1966 at [[Naduvil and Kudianmala|Naduvil]], [[Kannur district]], Kerala to A. P. Paily and Annamma.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sansad.in/rs/members/biography/2498 | title=Digital Sansad }}</ref> After primary education in a nearby school, he attended high school at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Mannuthy, [[Thrissur]]. He went to [[Sir Syed College, Taliparamba]] in [[Kannur]] for his pre-degree studies. He did his bachelor's degree in political science from Payyanur College, and master's degree in political science from [[Sree Kerala Varma College]], [[Thrissur]]. He also enrolled for his law degree at the [[Kerala Law Academy|Kerala Law Academy College]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], from which he graduated with first rank. Brittas completed his Master of Philosophy (M Phil) in 1996 and doctorate in 2022 from the [[Jawaharlal Nehru University]], New Delhi.


==Early life an education==
Brittas was active in student politics during his college days and was one of the office bearers of the University Students Union.
John Brittas was born on 15 May 1966 at [[Naduvil and Kudianmala|Naduvil]], [[Kannur district]], Kerala to A. P. Paily and Annamma.<ref>https://sansad.in/rs/members/biography/2498</ref> After primary education in a nearby school, he attended high school at [[Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Mannuthy]], [[Thrissur]]. He went to [[Sir Syed College (Taliparamba)]] in Kannur for his predegree. He had his bachelor's degree in Political Science from [[Payyanur College]], [[Payyannur]] and master's degree in political science from [[Sree Kerala Varma College]], [[Thrissur]]. He also studied for his law degree from [[Kerala Law Academy Law College]], [[Trivandrum]]. He secured first rank in both the exams. In 1996, John Brittas completed his Master of Philosophy at [[Jawaharlal Nehru University]].He completed his PhD at Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2022.


==Career==
==Career==


Though he had a flair for writing and was involved in college level literary activities, [[journalism]] came his way by chance. It was for the sole purpose of getting a job that he had applied for the post of sub editor in ''[[Desabhimani]]'', the mouth piece journal of Communist Party of India (Marxist). When he went to Delhi for higher pursuits, the newspaper transferred him to Delhi under its bureau chief Prabhakara Varma. In Delhi, even before joining his office, he was assigned to escort the then CPIM CM of Kerala to Punjab for a discussion with the "Akalis," a radical group screaming for a separate state in those days. Brittas acknowledges the exposure he got in Delhi at that very young age for all his achievements. He arrived in Delhi at a time when the political stage of India was undergoing radical changes. He became a witness to many major changes that designed the country's future both at the home front and in the international arena.
Though he had a flair for writing and was involved in literary activities during college, his entry into [[journalism]] was by chance. With the sole intention of securing a job, he applied for the post of sub-editor in ''[[Deshabhimani]]'', the mouthpiece journal of the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]], and was selected. A while later when he moved to [[New Delhi]] for higher studies, the newspaper transferred him to its Delhi office, letting him study and work simultaneously. In Delhi, he was first assigned to escort the then CPI(M) chief minister of [[Kerala]] to [[Punjab]] for a discussion with the leaders of the [[Akali Movement]], which was seeking independent statehood for Punjab. Brittas often credits the exposure he received in Delhi at a young age for his achievements. Arriving in Delhi at a time when the political stage of India was undergoing radical changes, he became a witness to many major changes that shaped the country's future both on the home front and in global geopolitics.
 
By the time [[Kairali TV]] was launching under '''Malayalam Communications Ltd''' by [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] in the year 2000, Brittas had become a seasoned media personality. He was an ideal choice to head the Delhi Bureau for Kairali TV. Brittas took it as an opportunity to try out the electronic media, after a long association with the print media. Upon heading the Delhi office for three years, he was elevated as the managing director of the channel and posted at its headquarters in [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ww5.whataboutu.com/?&|title=whataboutu.com|website=ww5.whataboutu.com}}</ref>


By the time [[Kairali TV]] was launched under Malayalam Communications Ltd by Communist party of India in the year 2000, Brittas had become a seasoned media personality. He was an ideal choice for the post of associate director in charge of the Delhi Bureau for Kairali TV - a leftist founded Malayalam Channel. That was the time when many of the print journalists were switching to visual media. Brittas also took it as an opportunity to dabble in the electronic media after a long association with the print media. After working for three years in Delhi, he was made the managing director of the channel and was transferred to Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ww5.whataboutu.com/?&|title=whataboutu.com|website=ww5.whataboutu.com}}</ref>
After an eleven-year stint at Malayalam Communications Ltd., he moved to its competitor '''Asianet Communications Limited''' in 2011 as its Business Head.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2011keralaelectionresults.blogspot.com/2011/05/john-brittasnow-asianet-ceo.html|title=John Brittas, Now Asianet CEO ~ KERALA NEWS|date=2 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Kerala TV | website=Kerala TV | date=2020-04-06 | url=https://www.keralatv.in/ | access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> He returned to [[Kairali TV]] almost two years later in February 2013.


After an eleven-year stint, he resigned from Malayalam Communications Ltd and became the [[CEO]] of [[Asianet Communications Limited]] on 2 May 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://2011keralaelectionresults.blogspot.com/2011/05/john-brittasnow-asianet-ceo.html|title=John Brittas, Now Asianet CEO ~ KERALA NEWS|date=2 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Kerala TV | website=Kerala TV | date=2020-04-06 | url=https://www.keralatv.in/ | access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref>{{full citation needed|date=May 2021}}
At [[Kairali TV]] and [[Asianet (TV channel)]], he ran popular interview programmes, besides his other responsibilities, such as Question Time, Cross Fire, JB Junction (Kairali TV) and Nammal Thammil (Asianet) that have gained huge appreciation from the viewers. He now regularly contributes opinions and analyses on contemporary socio-political issues to various Indian media outlets. He has also authored many books in [[Malayalam]] such as Chillujalakakkootil, Innocent Samsarikunnu, Malayalathinte Manavikatha, Sthreeparvam and Marayillathe. He also acted in the lead role in Malayalam movie,''[[Vellivelichathil]]'' released in 2014, which received mixed reviews.<ref>{{cite news|title=At home in an alien land|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/at-home-in-an-alien-land/article6423846.ece|access-date=18 November 2014|work=The Hindu|date=19 September 2014}}</ref>


On 27 February 2013 he got an offer from MCL as MD of new division and took charge in March 2013.
Brittas was the youngest journalist to secure the Central Hall pass in the Parliament. He has covered parliamentary proceedings for both Kairali TV and Desabhimani. He did first-hand reporting on the general elections between 1991 and 1999. He also covered the general elections in [[Nepal]] soon after the death of [[King Birendra of Nepal]]. He was one of the first Indian journalists to reach [[Baghdad]] soon after the launch of America's [[Iraq war]] in 2003. From the war-torn areas, he not only reported for his channel but also wrote for various Indian newspapers.


He acted in a Malayalam movie [[Vellivelichathil|''Velli Velichathil'']] released in 2014 with mixed reviews.<ref name="hindu alien land">{{cite news|title=At home in an alien land|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/at-home-in-an-alien-land/article6423846.ece|access-date=18 November 2014|work=The Hindu|date=19 September 2014}}</ref>
His maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) on the role of the judiciary and the appointment of judges in the  [[Supreme Court of India]] and [[High Courts of India]] was praised by the Vice President of India and the chairman of Rajya Sabha [[Venkaiah Naidu]].<ref>{{Citation|title=ജോണ്‍ ബ്രിട്ടാസിന്‍റെ ക്രിയാത്മക വിമര്‍ശനത്തിന് അഭിനന്ദനവുമായി ഉപരാഷ്ട്രപതി {{!}} John Brittas|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XaYsq1wUAc|language=en|access-date=2022-01-19}}</ref>


==Awards and accolades==
==Awards and accolades==
John Brittas was the youngest correspondent to get the Central Hall pass in the Parliament. He has covered parliamentary proceedings for both Kairali TV and Desabhimani. He did first hand reporting for the general elections between 1991 and 1999. He also covered the general election in Nepal soon after the death of King Birendra. He was physically present in Ayodhya during the Babri Masjid demolition. He was the first journalist from India to reach Baghdad during the recent war in Iraq. From there, he not only reported for his channel but also wrote for various newspapers.
He received the Journalism Educational Award from the Goenka Foundation for his research on "The Impact of Globalization in Print Media".
 
He got the Journalism Educational Award from the Goenka Foundation for his research on "The Impact of Globalization in Print Media". His maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) in India regarding judiciary and the appointment of  Supreme Court and High Court Judges  was praised by the Vice President of India and Ex-Officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha Hon'ble Shri M Venkaiah Naidu.<ref>{{Citation|title=ജോണ്‍ ബ്രിട്ടാസിന്‍റെ ക്രിയാത്മക വിമര്‍ശനത്തിന് അഭിനന്ദനവുമായി ഉപരാഷ്ട്രപതി {{!}} John Brittas|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XaYsq1wUAc|language=en|access-date=2022-01-19}}</ref>


==Television==
==Television==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.keralatv.in/2011/05/asianet-communications-ltd-appoints-john-brittas-as-business-head/ John Brittas in Asianet]


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}

Latest revision as of 05:00, 23 February 2026


John Brittas
Brittas
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
Assumed office
8 June 2021
Preceded byK. K. Ragesh
ConstituencyKerala
Born (1966-05-15) 15 May 1966 (age 60)
Other namesBrittas
Alma mater
OccupationJournalist
Known forManaging Director of Kairali TV and former Business head of Asianet Communications Member of Rajya Sabha
TelevisionAsianet
Kairali TV
Political partyCommunist Party of India (Marxist)
Spouse(s)Sheeba
Children2
Websitebrittas.in
2=

John Brittas, is an Indian politician, journalist, and managing director and chief editor of Malayalam Communications Ltd., which owns the entertainment channel Kairali TV and the news channel Kairali News.[citation needed] He is also the former Business Head of another entertainment channel in South India, Asianet (TV channel). He is a parliamentarian who has represented the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the upper house of the Indian Parliament since June 2021.[1] He was one of the advisors to the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan from 2016 till 2021. He is currently the CPI(M) deputy parliamentary party leader in Rajya Sabha.[2]

He has been a member of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology since October 2024 and member of the Parliamentary Committee on Ministry of External Affairs (India) since September 2024.[3] According to Indian parliamentary data by PRS Legislative Research, Dr. John Brittas is one of the most active members in parliamentary debates and discussions, having participated in 889 debates—nearly ten times the national average of 90.3 and significantly higher than the state average of 336.2. With a 94% attendance record, 375 questions raised (well above the national average of 168.52), and 16 Private Member’s Bills introduced (compared to the national average of 1.2), his engagement in legislative proceedings stands out among his peers.[4]

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

John Brittas was born on 15 May 1966 at Naduvil, Kannur district, Kerala to A. P. Paily and Annamma.[5] After primary education in a nearby school, he attended high school at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Mannuthy, Thrissur. He went to Sir Syed College, Taliparamba in Kannur for his pre-degree studies. He did his bachelor's degree in political science from Payyanur College, and master's degree in political science from Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur. He also enrolled for his law degree at the Kerala Law Academy College, Thiruvananthapuram, from which he graduated with first rank. Brittas completed his Master of Philosophy (M Phil) in 1996 and doctorate in 2022 from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Brittas was active in student politics during his college days and was one of the office bearers of the University Students Union.

Career[edit | edit source]

Though he had a flair for writing and was involved in literary activities during college, his entry into journalism was by chance. With the sole intention of securing a job, he applied for the post of sub-editor in Deshabhimani, the mouthpiece journal of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and was selected. A while later when he moved to New Delhi for higher studies, the newspaper transferred him to its Delhi office, letting him study and work simultaneously. In Delhi, he was first assigned to escort the then CPI(M) chief minister of Kerala to Punjab for a discussion with the leaders of the Akali Movement, which was seeking independent statehood for Punjab. Brittas often credits the exposure he received in Delhi at a young age for his achievements. Arriving in Delhi at a time when the political stage of India was undergoing radical changes, he became a witness to many major changes that shaped the country's future both on the home front and in global geopolitics.

By the time Kairali TV was launching under Malayalam Communications Ltd by Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the year 2000, Brittas had become a seasoned media personality. He was an ideal choice to head the Delhi Bureau for Kairali TV. Brittas took it as an opportunity to try out the electronic media, after a long association with the print media. Upon heading the Delhi office for three years, he was elevated as the managing director of the channel and posted at its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.[6]

After an eleven-year stint at Malayalam Communications Ltd., he moved to its competitor Asianet Communications Limited in 2011 as its Business Head.[7][8] He returned to Kairali TV almost two years later in February 2013.

At Kairali TV and Asianet (TV channel), he ran popular interview programmes, besides his other responsibilities, such as Question Time, Cross Fire, JB Junction (Kairali TV) and Nammal Thammil (Asianet) that have gained huge appreciation from the viewers. He now regularly contributes opinions and analyses on contemporary socio-political issues to various Indian media outlets. He has also authored many books in Malayalam such as Chillujalakakkootil, Innocent Samsarikunnu, Malayalathinte Manavikatha, Sthreeparvam and Marayillathe. He also acted in the lead role in Malayalam movie,Vellivelichathil released in 2014, which received mixed reviews.[9]

Brittas was the youngest journalist to secure the Central Hall pass in the Parliament. He has covered parliamentary proceedings for both Kairali TV and Desabhimani. He did first-hand reporting on the general elections between 1991 and 1999. He also covered the general elections in Nepal soon after the death of King Birendra of Nepal. He was one of the first Indian journalists to reach Baghdad soon after the launch of America's Iraq war in 2003. From the war-torn areas, he not only reported for his channel but also wrote for various Indian newspapers.

His maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) on the role of the judiciary and the appointment of judges in the Supreme Court of India and High Courts of India was praised by the Vice President of India and the chairman of Rajya Sabha Venkaiah Naidu.[10]

Awards and accolades[edit | edit source]

He received the Journalism Educational Award from the Goenka Foundation for his research on "The Impact of Globalization in Print Media".

Television[edit | edit source]

As Host

[1]

year Program Channel Notes
2008-2010 Question Time Kairali TV
2010-2011 Cross fire Kairali TV
2012-2013 Nammal Thammil Asianet
2014–2020 J.B.junction Kairali TV
2018–2020 Njan Malayalee Kairali TV
2021 Votography Kairali TV

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "John Brittas, MV Sivadasan, others take oath as Rajya Sabha members". keralakaumudi.com. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  2. ഡെസ്‌ക്, വെബ്. "ബികാഷ് രഞ്ജന്‍ ഭട്ടാചാര്യ രാജ്യസഭയിലെ സി പി എം കക്ഷി നേതാവ്". Siraj Daily (in മലയാളം). Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  3. "Member's Bio-Profile, Dr. John Brittas". Rajya Sabha, Parliament of India. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  4. John Brittas, Parliamentary Activity, PRS Legislative Research, https://prsindia.org/mptrack/rajya-sabha/john-brittas Retrieved on February 14, 2025
  5. "Digital Sansad".
  6. "whataboutu.com". ww5.whataboutu.com.
  7. "John Brittas, Now Asianet CEO ~ KERALA NEWS". 2 May 2011.
  8. "Kerala TV". Kerala TV. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  9. "At home in an alien land". The Hindu. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  10. ജോണ്‍ ബ്രിട്ടാസിന്‍റെ ക്രിയാത്മക വിമര്‍ശനത്തിന് അഭിനന്ദനവുമായി ഉപരാഷ്ട്രപതി | John Brittas, retrieved 19 January 2022