Dr Arun Kumar: The Inspiring Story Behind Kerala’s Most Qualified News Editor

Dr Arun Kumar is one of the most distinctive voices in Kerala’s media landscape — a rare journalist who carries both a microphone and a PhD. Currently serving as Chief Editor at Reporter TV, Dr Arun Kumar has built a career that most media professionals can only dream of: decades of front-line broadcast journalism combined with a serious academic career in Political Science. From presenting news on Doordarshan to leading editorial decisions at one of Kerala’s prominent news channels, his journey from Anchal in Kollam district to the highest editorial chair at Reporter TV is nothing short of extraordinary. What makes him truly stand out? He didn’t just report on power — he studied it at the doctoral level.

Quick Info Table

Early Life & Background

Dr Arun Kumar was born and raised in Anchal, a town in the Kollam district of Kerala. Anchal is a quiet, semi-urban locality known for its rubber plantations, strong community values, and a culture that prizes education. Growing up in this setting, Dr Arun Kumar developed an early interest in social affairs, politics, and public discourse — interests that would eventually shape both his journalism career and his academic pursuits.

Kollam district, situated in southern Kerala, has a long tradition of producing professionals who go on to make a mark in education, politics, and media. Dr Arun Kumar is very much a product of that tradition — grounded in his roots, yet driven by an ambition that took him far beyond Anchal.

Education: The Academic Foundation of a Journalist

What sets Dr Arun Kumar apart from most of his peers in Kerala’s broadcast journalism world is his exceptional academic background.

• He completed his Master’s Degree in Political Science, laying the foundation for a deep understanding of governance, power structures, and public policy.
• He went on to earn a PhD in Political Science from Kerala University — one of the most respected universities in South India, headquartered at the Kariavattom Campus in Thiruvananthapuram.

This doctoral qualification is not a decorative credential. It directly informs how Dr Arun Kumar approaches political news coverage, interviews with public figures, and editorial decisions at Reporter TV. When he asks a question on-air or writes an editorial, it comes from a place of genuine scholarly understanding — and Kerala’s audience has always sensed that depth.

Career: From Doordarshan to Reporter TV’s Editorial Chair

Dr Arun Kumar’s professional journey is a masterclass in building a multi-dimensional career in media. Here is how it unfolded:

Doordarshan: Where It All Began

Dr Arun Kumar began his broadcast career as a Presenter at Doordarshan, India’s national public broadcaster. Doordarshan remains one of the most credible and far-reaching platforms in Indian television, and starting there gave him both discipline and reach. Presenting for a national broadcaster demands precision, composure, and the ability to communicate clearly to a diverse audience — skills he has carried throughout his career.

Asianet News: Entering Kerala’s Prime-Time Arena

He then moved to Asianet News as a News Reader, stepping into the highly competitive world of private Malayalam news television. Asianet News, one of Kerala’s most-watched channels, is known for its high editorial standards and large viewership. His time there sharpened his on-air presence and helped him build the kind of audience familiarity that is difficult to manufacture.

24 News: Rising to Associate Executive Editor

Dr Arun Kumar took a major editorial leap when he joined 24 News as Associate Executive Editor. This was no longer just a presenting role — it placed him in the heart of editorial strategy, story selection, and newsroom leadership. According to available public sources, his time at 24 News was marked by consistent, credible coverage of Kerala’s political and social landscape, areas where his Political Science background gave him a distinct advantage over peers.

Reporter TV: Chief Editor

Today, Dr Arun Kumar serves as Chief Editor at Reporter TV — the pinnacle of his journalism career so far. In this role, he is responsible for the overall editorial direction of the channel, overseeing news output, guiding journalists, and setting the tone for how Reporter TV covers Kerala and the nation. It is a role that demands authority, vision, and trustworthiness — qualities he has spent decades developing.

Academic Career: Professor in the Newsroom

Parallel to his journalism career, Dr Arun Kumar has maintained a serious and sustained academic life — something almost unheard of in the fast-paced world of broadcast news.

• Assistant Professor – University of Kerala, where he taught Political Science to postgraduate students at one of the state’s premier academic institutions.
• Former Assistant Professor – University College, Thiruvananthapuram, a prestigious government college in Kerala’s capital city.
• Former Assistant Professor – Government Victoria College, Palakkad, extending his academic reach to central Kerala.

This combination of classroom teaching and newsroom leadership gives Dr Arun Kumar a perspective that is genuinely rare. He understands both the theory of political systems and the daily reality of reporting on them — and that duality makes him one of the most credible editorial voices in Kerala media today.

Achievements & Notable Work

• One of the very few PhD-holding Chief Editors in Kerala’s television news industry
• Successful career progression across four major broadcast platforms: Doordarshan, Asianet News, 24 News, and Reporter TV
• Taught Political Science at three reputed academic institutions in Kerala simultaneously while maintaining a journalism career
• Recognised as a go-to voice for political analysis and election coverage in Kerala
• His editorial leadership at Reporter TV has contributed to the channel’s growing credibility and viewership

Personal Life

Dr Arun Kumar is a married man, though he — like many senior journalists — keeps his personal and family life largely away from the public domain. According to available public sources, he maintains a private family life while remaining publicly accessible through his social media handles on Instagram and Facebook.

He is active on Instagram (@arunkumar_reporter) and Facebook, where he shares professional updates, opinions on current affairs, and occasional glimpses of his life beyond the newsroom.

Net Worth & Salary

The exact salary or net worth of Dr Arun Kumar has not been officially disclosed in any public source. As Chief Editor of a prominent Kerala news channel with a parallel academic career spanning multiple universities, he is professionally well-established by any measure. Industry estimates for senior editorial roles in Kerala’s television news sector vary widely, and without verified figures, it would be inaccurate to state a specific number. What is clear is that Dr Arun Kumar has built a career of lasting value — not merely financial, but intellectual and institutional.

Interesting Facts About Dr Arun Kumar

• He holds a PhD in Political Science from Kerala University — extremely rare for a working broadcast journalist
• He has taught at three different universities and colleges across Kerala, from Thiruvananthapuram to Palakkad
• His career spans multiple eras of Kerala television — from the Doordarshan age to the modern digital news era
• He brings academic rigour to political reporting, making him particularly valuable during election seasons
• Originally from Anchal, Kollam — a small town that produced one of Kerala’s most credentialed journalists
• He bridges the worlds of mass media and higher education in a way that very few professionals in Kerala have managed

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Who is Dr Arun Kumar reporter?

Dr Arun Kumar is a veteran Kerala journalist and academic, currently serving as Chief Editor at Reporter TV. He has previously worked at 24 News, Asianet News, and Doordarshan.

Q2: What is Dr Arun Kumar reporter’s educational qualification?

He holds a PhD in Political Science from Kerala University, along with a Master’s degree in Political Science. He has also served as Assistant Professor at multiple Kerala institutions.

Q3: Which channel does Dr Arun Kumar currently work for?

Dr Arun Kumar is currently the Chief Editor at Reporter TV, one of Kerala’s prominent Malayalam news channels.

Q4: Where is Dr Arun Kumar reporter from?

He is originally from Anchal, a town in the Kollam district of Kerala.

Q5: Is Dr Arun Kumar married?

Yes, according to available public sources, Dr Arun Kumar is married. However, details about his family are kept private.

Q6: What makes Dr Arun Kumar different from other Kerala journalists?

His unique combination of a doctoral degree in Political Science and a long, successful broadcast journalism career across Doordarshan, Asianet News, 24 News, and Reporter TV makes him one of the most academically qualified journalists in Kerala’s media industry.

Conclusion

Dr Arun Kumar is not just a journalist — he is an institution unto himself. In a media landscape often driven by speed over substance, he represents something rarer: depth. His PhD in Political Science, his years in the classroom teaching the next generation, and his steady climb from Doordarshan presenter to Chief Editor of Reporter TV all point to a professional who never stopped learning, never stopped growing, and never lost sight of why journalism matters.

For Kerala audiences, Dr Arun Kumar reporter is a familiar and trusted face — one who brings both the authority of a scholar and the instincts of a seasoned broadcaster to every story he oversees. From the rubber estates of Anchal to the editorial chair of a major news channel, his is a journey that deserves to be known, celebrated, and remembered.