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Women Inspiring Network contributes to “Anvay- A Global Dialogue’s” panel on harassment, discrimination, and bullying
Mumbai: Women Inspiring Network (WIN) is set to contribute at the upcoming Anvay- A Global Dialogue on Harassment and Discrimination, a two-day virtual event scheduled for 8 and 9 December 2023. This dialogue will bring together thought leaders, experts, and advocates to address pressing global challenges faced by women.
Women Inspiring Network founder Stuti Jalan will be among the distinguished speakers at one of the panels at Anvay. Jalan will be sharing her thoughts in a panel discussion on 8 December 2023, from 11:00 am to 11:45 am IST. The panel, titled “Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying & Women: Is there a special angle?” aims to shed light on the unique challenges faced by women in the realms of harassment, discrimination, and bullying.
The powerful panel, consisting of Stuti Jalan, Rekha Sharma Ji (chairperson, National Commission for Women), Susan Jane Ferguson (country representative, UN Women), and Sandesha Jaitapkar (chief operating officer, Artha Venture Fund), is set to delve into the root causes and disparities surrounding harassment, discrimination, and bullying. Together, these distinguished speakers will explore these issues in-depth, fostering a deeper understanding that goes beyond surface-level discussions. The overarching goal of the panel is to identify solutions and contribute to the creation of a future where women can navigate their personal and professional lives without the burdens of harassment and discrimination.
“At Anvay, we stand united on the panel, committed to unravelling the complexities of harassment, discrimination, and bullying faced by women. Through insightful dialogue and collaborative efforts, we aspire to pave the way for a world where every woman can navigate her journey with dignity, resilience, and unwavering support.” said Women Inspiring Network founder Stuti Jalan.
The Anvay Global Dialogue, accessible virtually at www.anvayglobal.com, promises to be a platform for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. Attendees can expect thought-provoking discussions, engaging sessions, and opportunities to connect with experts and peers from around the world.
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Paramount set to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in $81 billion deal
Shareholders back merger, combined entity could reshape streaming and studios.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… consolidation, Hollywood’s latest blockbuster might be happening off-screen. Shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery have voted in favour of selling the company to Paramount in a deal valued at $81 billion rising to nearly $111 billion including debt setting the stage for one of the biggest shake-ups in modern media. The proposed merger, still subject to regulatory approvals, would bring together a vast portfolio spanning HBO Max, CNN, and franchises such as Harry Potter under the same umbrella as Paramount’s own heavyweights, including Top Gun and CBS.
At the heart of the deal is streaming scale. Executives have indicated plans to combine HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single platform, potentially creating a stronger challenger to giants like Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video. Current market data suggests HBO Max holds around 12 per cent of US on-demand subscriptions, compared to Paramount+’s 3 per cent, together still trailing Netflix’s 19 per cent and Disney’s combined 27 per cent via Disney+ and Hulu.
Paramount CEO David Ellison has signalled that while platforms may merge, HBO’s creative identity will remain intact, stating the brand should “stay HBO” even within a broader ecosystem.
Beyond streaming, the deal would redraw the map for film production. Combining two of Hollywood’s oldest studios Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros., the new entity aims to scale output to over 30 films annually, while maintaining a 45-day theatrical window. Warner Bros. currently commands around 21 per cent of the US box office, compared to Paramount’s 6 per cent, underscoring the strategic weight of the acquisition.
But scale comes with scrutiny. Critics warn that fewer players could mean reduced consumer choice, rising subscription costs, and potential job cuts as the combined company looks to streamline overlapping operations while managing billions in debt.
The news business, too, faces a reset. CNN would join forces at least structurally with Paramount-owned CBS, raising questions about editorial independence and positioning. The merger has already drawn political attention in the United States, particularly given perceived ties between the Ellison family and Donald Trump, though the company maintains that newsroom autonomy will be preserved.
If approved, the deal would mark another milestone in Hollywood’s consolidation wave shrinking the industry’s traditional “big six” studios to a “big four”, with Paramount joining Disney, Universal, and Sony at the top table.
In an industry built on storytelling, this merger may well become its most consequential plot twist yet.
