News Broadcasting
Ficci to prepare draft paper on content regulation
NEW DELHI: The government today showed that it was serious about content regulation when it discussed norms framed by the UK regulator with representatives from the media and entertainment industry and consumer and women’s groups.
At a meeting of a content committee, set up by the government under the chairmanship of the information and broadcasting secretary, various issues were discussed, including whether self regulation is the best option where offensive fare is concerned.
According to information available, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci), has agreed to prepare a draft paper on various issues and the regulatory mechanism that could be resorted to, which will be circulated amongst the 30-odd committee members for a consensus.
Ficci, according to government sources, has said that it will prepare the draft paper on behalf of the industry and will take into account various content regulatory mechanism in force in countries like the US, the UK, Australia and Singapore.
However, the fact that the Indian government had circulated regulatory mechanism from Ofcom, the British media watchdog, indicates that the I&B ministry is in favour of borrowing liberally from it.
This panel has been set up to examine and recommend ways to have a foolproof method for content regulation on TV, Internet and in films. The terms of reference also includes tackling issues like music piracy and curbing surrogate advertising by alcohol and cigarette companies.
Today’s meeting was attended by representatives from organisations like Ficci, advertising industry bodies and consumer and women’s groups.
News Broadcasting
Parikshit Luthra exits CNBC-TV18 after 20-year run
Former bureau chief to take brief pause before next role
NEW DELHI: Senior journalist Parikshit Luthra has signed off from CNBC-TV18, marking 28 February 2026 as his final day and closing nearly two decades with Network18 Media & Investments Limited, including eight years at the business news channel.
During his tenure, Luthra interviewed prominent business leaders and Union ministers, reporting on economic policy, corporate strategy, the automobile sector and financial markets. His coverage spanned key inflection points in India’s economic narrative.
He also led new programming formats such as Newscentre, Global Eye and Global Lens, shows that examined politics and foreign policy through an economic prism, reflecting the channel’s push towards globally linked business reporting.
In a LinkedIn post, Luthra said his final weeks were spent covering the Union Budget, the India AI Summit, India’s trade agreements with the US and EU, and the group’s flagship Rising Bharat Summit 2026. He added that he continued anchoring until his last day and briefly met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his closing assignments.
Luthra joined CNBC-TV18 in June 2018 as assistant editor, later rising to senior editor and chief of bureau, a position he held for over two years. Before that, he worked with Republic TV and CNN-News18.
He said he plans to take a short break before embarking on his next professional chapter.
