News Broadcasting
Barrett to chair US media security and reliability council
MUMBAI: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Michael Powell has announced that David J. Barrett will assume the chairmanship of the newly re-chartered Media Security and Reliability Counci (MSRC). Barrett is the president and CEO of Hearst-Argyle Television.
Powell was quoted in an official release saying, “The MSRC will continue to bring together industry leaders to develop ways to ensure the continued operation and security of media facilities. I am pleased that David will be bringing his expertise and leadership to this important council, and am confident that MSRC II will continue in the fine tradition set by this Council.”
The MSRC is a Federal advisory committee that reports to Powell. Powell formed the organisation following 9/11 in order to study, develop and report on best practices designed to assure the optimal reliability, robustness and security of the broadcast and multichannel video programming distribution industries.
Barrett said, “MSRC has completed just a portion of the important work that needs to be done to better prepare the electronic media for events that will drive us to an even higher level of community service, responsibility and accessibility. As we move forward into the next generation of this important committee, we hope to satisfy the expectation of the FCC, Homeland Security and other agencies and public officials who count on broadcasters to help make America safer and more secure.”
MSRC is being chartered for a two-year term beginning 24 March. MSRC II will further refine the MSRC best practices recommendations. The council will also coordinate with the FCC staff on an outreach process that will encourage adoption of MSRC’s best practices and foster coordination between media and government at the local level.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
