News Broadcasting
Asian American presence in US broadcast newsrooms declining
MUMBAI: The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), in the US, has expressed disappointment over the news that the percentage of Asian American radio and television journalists has dropped to the lowest level the organisation has seen in this decade.
The percentage of Asian Americans in television newsrooms, throughout the US, dropped to 2.2 per cent this year. This is the same level as it was at in 1995. The numbers were released by the Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) and Ball State.
By comparison, 4.1 per cent of the television newsroom workforce in 2001 were Asian Americans. The data covering radio newsrooms painted an equally bleak. Only 0.2 per cent of the radio newsroom workforce are Asian Americans.
AAJA broadcast VP Randell Yip added, “This downward trend will not reverse itself until television and radio news organisations make a sincere effort to recruit, train and offer opportunities to Asian Americans.”
“AAJA is committed to providing scholarship, fellowship and training opportunities to our more than 2,100 members. However, none of that will have an impact until media organisations commit themselves to hiring and promoting a diverse workforce that includes Asian Americans,” he added.
The survey had more positive results for other minority groups in the US. Hispanics in local TV rose from 6.5 per cent last year to 8.9 per cent, and in radio, they rose from 1.2 per cent last year to 3.9 per cent this year. Blacks in TV rose from 8.4 per cent to 10.3 per cent, and in radio, they rose to from 4.8 per cent to 7.3 per cent, this year.
Newsday courts reporter and National Association of Black Journalists president Herbert Lowe said, “Another year, another survey? It is the same thing. The industry is not sufficiently hiring or retaining or promoting black journalists. Sitting across the tables and bemoaning the same excuses isn’t getting us anywhere. The industry must hire, retain and promote. Plain and simple.”
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.
