News Broadcasting
Turner calls Murdoch a ‘warmonger’
MUMBAI: The gloves are off. Literally. The irrepressible founder of CNN Ted Turner has called his pet hate of long standing Rupert Murdoch a warmonger for Fox News Channel’s reportage during the US-led invasion of Iraq. And unlike on another occasion when he challenged Murdoch to a boxing match-up in the ring, this time round Turner kept his jousting strictly verbal.
“He’s a warmonger,” a Reuters report quoted Turner as saying in an evening speech on Thursday to the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco of Murdoch, whose News Corp. Ltd. owns Fox News. “He (Murdoch) promoted it,” Turner was quoted as saying.
Turner also criticised the concentration of ownership of the vast majority of US television networks, radio and TV stations and newspapers in a few corporations. “There’s really five companies that control 90 per cent of what we read, see and hear. It’s not healthy,” Turner said.
A point that is especially relevant in the context of the Bush administration’s exhortations yesterday urging the Federal Communications Commission (which US secretary of state Colin Powell’s son Michael heads) to finish revising media rules governing ownership of newspapers and television and radio stations by the agency’s self-imposed June 2 deadline, saying the update was due.
Critics have warned that mergers resulting from looser rules could leave a few huge companies in control of what people watch, hear and read.
Turner’s barbs came on the same day as a roasting given by BBC director-general Greg Dyke to the US media over its “unquestioning” coverage of the Iraq conflict.
Dyke reserved his severest criticism for US radio giant Clear Channel, which went to the extent of organising pro-war rallies in the US as American and British troops were advancing on Baghdad.
Among the television networks, Dyke directed most of his ire at Fox over its pro-Bush stance.
Dyke made his comments in a speech delivered at Goldsmiths College in London yesterday.
Whatever may be Turner’s and Dyke’s views on the matter, it is hardly likely to change the Fox strategy, which has clearly delivered on the ratings front. Fox is the No. 1 news network in the US.
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. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. 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.
