News Broadcasting
PBS show with a social conscience
MUMBAI: A business show dedicated to reporting news, trends and stories of the companies, governments, and people worldwide who are redefining success with socially and environmentally responsible practices, investments, and lifestyles.
That is what US public broadcaster PBS (Public Broadcasting System) has up its sleeve. Ethical Marketplace kicks off on 15 March 2005 and has been produced by a media firm of the same name -Ethical Marketplace.
The show will take viewers beyond the balance sheets of the companies with engaging, real-life stories of businesses, executives, investors, and consumers that demonstrate an increasingly popular standard of corporate citizenship measured by the integrated triple bottom line often referred to as People, Profit and Planet.
These often overlooked and unaccounted social and environmental assets can be as valuable as monetary capital. This comprehensive view of business success promotes growth through practices that respect a company’s stakeholders, employees, customers, and investors, as well as the surrounding community.
Hosted by Simran Sethi, a former MTV news anchor and producer, Ethical Marketplace claims to be the only programme to report on these unaccounted-for assets through weekly topics such as fair trade, renewable energy and Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) – a market that has grown to represent 11 per cent (roughly $2.2 trillion) of all US investments under professional management .
The show explores the business assumptions that affect every investor from fund managers, corporate executives, board members, small business owners and employees to consumers, students, millions of involuntary investors with pensions, $401,000 plans or other forms of indirect investments. Viewers can use this information to improve their quality of life in ways that reflect their personal interests, ethics, values and goals for success.
The show has been produced by Dr. Hazel Henderson – an author, futurist and sustainable business economics expert. She says that business leaders are increasingly realizing the value of an economic model that measures business success by focussing on the greater community and environment, as well as profit
“Ethical Marketplace is the first TV series to show consumers and investors how they can align their investments with their beliefs, and visions for a better future. Each episode includes in-studio and field-based segments such as Walking The Talk and examines the overall topic from multiple viewpoints such as appreciating assets and earth ethics.
” They will provide discussions with executives from Fortune 500 companies to small start-ups, personal stories of people seeking value and success. The show will help derive a historical perspective, indicators of success, quality of life, new technologies as well as realistic projections for the future.”
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.
