News Broadcasting
Aaj Tak makes waves in the political circuit
MUMBAI: Aaj Tak’s recent expose on the Mumbai BJP unit distributing application form for the recently launched social security scheme with the BJP symbol has the complete political circuit working overtime. While the Congress held a press conference in Delhi on Sunday to highlight the misdoing of the ruling party based on the Aaj Tak story, BJP is going all out to deny any wrong doings pertaining to the same.
On Friday, Aaj Tak aired the story, which captured BJP members distributing social security forms with the BJP’s lotus symbol, and the party name printed on them. The story was based on footage shot through a hidden camera. It showcased BJP members collecting information and asking people to apply for Provident Fund for the unorganized sector. When queried on the same, Sahib Singh Verma had reiterated that there was nothing wrong in the process, and anyone could collect the forms and get them deposited for the government scheme.
As a follow-up to the Aaj Tak story, Congress spokesperson Kapil Sibal staged a press conference in Delhi on Sunday wherein the media was shown the footage stating that it amounted to open corruption and was a violation of the model code of conduct. He questioned whether anyone could resort to such practices without authorization from the concerned department. The Congress has raised the question before the Election Commission and its views on the same would be out in a few days.
Speaking on the story TV Today Network CEO G Krishnan states, “We have a role to play as the watchdog to the nation. This expose is part of our ongoing efforts towards transparent and unbiased journalism.”
News Broadcasting
Mihir Bhatt appointed as chief content officer at News18 Studios
The media veteran brings two decades of experience across television, digital and radio to one of India’s biggest broadcast networks, Disney+ Hotstar, Discovery+
NEW DELHI: Network18 has a new strategist in the building. Mihir Bhatt, one of Indian media’s more versatile operators, has joined News18 Studios as chief content officer, stepping into a role that will see him shape content strategy, build multi-platform properties and drive brand partnerships across the network.
Bhatt brings more than two decades of experience spanning television, digital and radio, with a track record of doing something rare in Indian media: combining editorial ambition with hard commercial results. At Times Network, where he served as managing editor and chief business officer of Times Influence, he built one of the industry’s more respected content studios, launching marquee properties such as the India Economic Conclave, the Times Now Summit and Leaders of Tomorrow. He also pushed the network into premium OTT territory through tie-ups with Disney+ Hotstar and Discovery+.
His resume stretches well beyond the studio. Bhatt has led Global Investor Summits for multiple state governments, worked alongside the World Economic Forum and played a pivotal role in launching the Indian Pickleball League. Earlier, as editor of Zee Business, he pioneered investor education initiatives that are still cited as industry benchmarks.
At News18 Studios, Bhatt will report to chief executive S Shivakumar and will oversee the studios execution vertical alongside revenue verticals covering emerging markets and campaigns. Sidharth Saini, Hemanth Kumar and Nimar Sarkaria will work under him.
Rahul Joshi, managing director and editor-in-chief of Network18 Group, made the announcement in an internal communication. “Mihir’s ability to build enduring brands, foster strategic partnerships and navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our position and explore new avenues of growth in the Studios business,” Joshi said.
In a media industry lurching between disruption and reinvention, Network18 has bet on a man who has spent two decades thriving in exactly that chaos. Whether he can do it again, at greater scale, is the question worth watching.
