News Broadcasting
Fareed Zakaria Takes Viewers to India for a Look at a Nation at a Crossroads
MUMBAI: CNN’s and TIME’s Fareed Zakaria travels to and across India for an extraordinarily insightful look at the world’s largest democracy from the inside – its complexities, challenges, and achievements. The one-hour in-depth special report, India at a Crossroads – A Fareed Zakaria GPS Special will debut Sunday, Dec. 29 on CNN International at 5.30pm IST.
While much of the world has experienced sluggish economic times in recent years, Zakaria reports India’s average economic growth (GDP) over the last decade has been robust – around seven percent. And, Zakaria points out, in 2014, India will exercise the “largest democratic process in human history” as hundreds of millions of Indians, using 800,000 voting booths and 1.3 million voting machines, will engage in the world’s largest democratic action by voting in the national elections.
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Yet, in addition to having democracy in common with America, India’s governance is also experiencing a crisis of political dysfunction – and on a grand scale. Widespread corruption threatens some of its economic opportunity, and India’s social caste system and endemic disparities faced by women threaten to incite a home-grown Indian version of an ‘Arab Spring’.
To give global viewers greater perspective into the opportunities and obstacles faced by the one-sixth of humanity that is India, Zakaria spoke with leaders in business, politics, Bollywood, and more. For insights on India’s multicultural, multi-class, multilingual, multi-religious society, Zakaria spoke with: the Deputy Chairman of India’s Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia; chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Limited Mukesh Ambani, the wealthiest man in India; actress and human rights activist Shabana Azmi; former CEO for Procter & Gamble in India Gurcharan Das; politician and anti-corruption activist, Arvind Kerjriwal; actor and talk show host Aamir Khan; tech entrepreneur Nandan Nilekani; Member of Parliament from the Indian state of Odisha, Jay Panda; and chairman emeritus of India’s largest conglomerate, the Tata Group, Ratan Tata.
More information about why India – and the success of India – is essential for the world may be found at www.cnn.com/gps. During the special broadcast, producers of the special will engage with viewers using the hashtag “#CrossroadsIndia” via Twitter.
News Broadcasting
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest overhaul in 15 years
Cost pressures and leadership change drive major workforce reduction plan
LONDON: BBC has unveiled plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, roughly 10 per cent of its global workforce, in what marks its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
The announcement was made during an all-staff meeting led by interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, as the broadcaster moves to tackle mounting financial pressures and reshape its operations.
Between 1,800 and 2,000 roles are expected to be eliminated from a workforce of around 21,500. The cuts form part of a broader plan to save £500 million over the next two years, aimed at offsetting rising costs, stagnating licence fee income and weaker commercial revenues.
In a communication to staff, BBC interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies said, “I know this creates real uncertainty, but we wanted to be open about the challenge,” acknowledging the impact the move would have across the organisation.
The restructuring comes at a time of leadership transition. Former director-general Tim Davie stepped down earlier this month, with Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, set to take over the role on May 18, 2026.
While some cost-cutting measures are being implemented immediately, the majority of the structural changes are expected to roll out over the next few years, with full savings targeted by the 2027–2028 financial year.
The broadcaster had earlier signalled its intent to reduce its cost base by around 10 per cent over a three-year period, warning of “difficult choices” as it adapts to shifting economic realities and audience expectations.
With operating costs hovering around £6 billion annually, the BBC’s latest move underscores the scale of the financial challenge it faces, as it balances public service commitments with the need for long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
