News Broadcasting
FM radio:I&B in favour of news, FDI
NEW DELHI: Information and broadcasting ministry proposes; the home ministry disposes.
This could well be the case relating to news and current affairs programming on private FM radio stations as the two ministries slug it out over the issue. Third umpire, the Union Cabinet, is yet to deliver its verdict.
A senior official of the information and broadcasting ministry today admitted that the ministry has proposed in a Cabinet note that news and current affairs shows be allowed on private FM radio stations.
The rationale extended by the I&B ministry is that since news is allowed on privately run TV channels, it would be unfair to restrict private FM radio broadcasters, which may effect the bottomline of such ventures.
However, the I&B ministry official said that there is strong opposition to this proposal from the home ministry, which is of the opinion that such radio stations, difficult to monitor, could report to airing anti-national propaganda material.
At present, only national radio broadcaster, All India Radio, is permitted to air news on its network consisting of AM and FM channels, while private players, claiming heavy financial losses, have been lobbying hard to have the restrictions imposed on them removed.
Though flimsy as it may appear, home ministry’s opinion has been included in a Cabinet note prepared by the I&B ministry on radio broadcast policy. The Union Cabinet is expected to discuss the changes in the policy in one of its meetings early next week, amongst other issues.
“Though we are in favour of allowing news and current affairs programmes on private FM radio stations, the issue will be discussed and finalized by the Cabinet,” the I&B ministry official hopefully said, adding, “Opinion of other ministers on the matter too is important.”
The I&B ministry is also in favour of allowing foreign direct investment, as an overall part of foreign investment package to be capped at 20 per cent, in FM radio ventures.
An expert committee set up by the I&B ministry under Dr. Amit Mitra’s chairmanship had suggested, amongst other things, that news and current affairs programmes should be allowed on private FM radio stations. This point was later supported by broadcast regulator, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, too.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
