News Broadcasting
Kuwait shuts down Al-Jazeera citing bias
MUMBAI: Arabic satellite channel Al-Jazeera may be hoping to take wing into non-Arabic speaking homes but before that it may well need to protect its existing turf. With war clouds looming over the Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait closed down Al-Jazeera’s offices on Sunday account of its alleged lack of objectivity in its coverage of the oil-rich sheikhdom.
This of course is nothing new for the TV station based out of tiny Qatar. The station’s correspondents have been expelled from several Arab countries for their hard-hitting reporting, a rarity in this region where most media are state-controlled.
The announcement was made by Kuwaiti information minister Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahd al-Sabah who was quoted as telling reporters: “The closure decision was not due to a single news item.” Sheikh Ahmad said Al-Jazeera had earlier been given several warnings.
Al-Jazeera is one of the most popular TV channels in the Arab world and shot to prominence during the US-led campaign in Afghanistan by broadcasting videotaped messages from American enemy No. 1 Osama bin Laden and other Al-Qaeda officials, Washington’s main suspects in the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States.
Qatar has had to face the ire of a wide swathe of countries in the Arab world for Al-Jazeera’s reporting but has so far refused to curb the channel citing freedom of expression. Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, Bahrain, Iran are just some of the states that have at different times hit out at Al-Jazeera.
Bahrain had said last week that it would not allow Al-Jazeera to operate on its territory and would boycott any local station that deals with Al-Jazeera. In an interview Bahraini information minister Nabil al-Hamar reportedly gave to a Jordanian newspaper, he said that while Bahrain remained committed to introducing freedom of the media, such freedom did not extend to permitting “chaos”.
These “distractions” aside, Al-Jazeera is planning to broadcast in English as part of an ambitious expansion plan. The broadcaster wants to reposition itself as a global news channel to rival CNN and the BBC.
As part of a trial run, early next year the channel will begin dubbing news broadcasts in English and providing a separate soundtrack to the main Arabic broadcast, it has been reported.
And if that proves successful, Al-Jazeera wants to create a full English-language version of the channel. It is also reportedly considering launching separate, specialist channels dedicated to sport and business.
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. 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.
