News Broadcasting
Barton elected chairman of World Broadcasting Unions’ sports body
MUMBAI: The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) head of sport, John Barton, has been appointed as chairman of the World Broadcasting Unions’ (WBU) Sports Committee.
Barton was unanimously elected by representatives of the sport committee convening at a recent World Broadcasting Unions (WBU) meeting. He will represent broadcast unions from Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Americas, Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean with a combined television audience of five billion people, states a press release.
“I am delighted to take on this additional role and the challenges it poses,” Barton said from Kuala Lumpur.
“There are difficult times ahead for many free-to-air broadcasters in the new media environment, and for sports federations eager to see their product televised to the masses,” he added.
He said he would also be focusing on strategies to counter the continuing escalation in broadcast rights fees, and how the various media assets would be exploited in the years to come.
Earlier this year, Barton was appointed to the Radio and Television Commission of the International Olympic Committee, which overseas all elements of broadcast operations for both the Summer and Winter Games, adds the release.
The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union is a non-profit, non-government, professional association of broadcasting organisations, formed in 1964 to facilitate the development of broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific region and to organise co-operative activities amongst its members.
It currently has over 150 members in 55 countries, with its broadcaster members reaching a potential audience of about 3 billion people. The ABU provides a forum for promoting the collective interests of television and radio broadcasters, and engages in activities to encourage regional and international co-operation between broadcasters.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
