News Broadcasting
SAB office under attack in Mumbai
MUMBAI: Media under attack.Politicians lead the pack.The views channel from the Sri Adhikari Brothers’ stable- Janmat channel office in Andheri, Mumbai had witnessed a crowd in support of Govinda, shouting slogans against the channel.
The Bollywood actor and Congress MP from north-Mumbai constituency, Govinda has been booked on charges of assault for threatening the Janmat reporter. The incident took place at the actor’s suburban office in Juhu, yesterday (22 December). The tiff between Govinda and the journalist triggered off when the journalist quizzed him on his linkage with the underworld don Dawood Abrahim following a question on his possible relationship with the Bollywood actress Rani Mukerjee.
Sources close to the development add, “Govinda was alleged to have assaulted the journalist and snatched the video-tapes on which the interview was recorded.”
The journalist has filed an first-information report (FIR) at the Juhu police station, wherein the Bollywood 
actor has been booked under assault. The offences mentioned by the journalist were of non-cognisable nature.
To clear the air, Govinda’s brother Kirti Kumar along with a close associate Capt Rakesh Singh visited the Janmat’s office.
Sri Adhikari Brothers vice-chairman Markhand Adhikari says,” We are very hurt with the whole situation. Our office was under attack by the mob, who threatened my staff.” Adhikari adds,” I will register a complaint against this as I’ve to be prepared if they turn up again. We have beefed up the security outside our official premise.”
When quizzed as to what was the outcome of the dialogue, he states,” The deputy-editor of the channel had a dialogue with Kirti Kumar only on humanitarian grounds.”
Addressing the protest crowd, Govinda’s brother Kirti Kumar stated, ” “The purpose of our visit has been conveyed to Markhand bhai and the matter seems to have been settled. If need be we will discuss again.”
He further added,” Govinda would be very happy to learn that the protest march was peaceful and adhered to the principals and values of the party -Congress (I).”
While the crowd protested outside the Janmat office, according to the supporters, Govinda was said to be in a meeting with few party members on the issue.
On the other hand, the Lok Sabha sessions discussing the recent sting operations on TV on politicians have them strongly criticising the media representatives and demanding an inquiry on the motive of chasing the politicians.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
