GECs
CNN announces international journalism initiatives
MUMBAI: News broadcaster CNN in the US has donated $1 million to the Asian American Journalists Association (Aaja), the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists for scholarships for minority students pursuing journalism.
CNN US president Jim Walton made the announcement on behalf of CNN’s more than 4,000 employees during the 2005 World Report Conference in Atlanta and in conjunction with the cable news network’s 25th anniversary.
The announcement comes as CNN prepares to celebrate 10 years of its longest-standing international initiative for journalists, the annual CNN Multichoice African Journalist of the Year Award, which takes place on 25 June in Nairobi. CNN will also announces a series of new CNN Journalist Awards in Germany, Brazil and pan-Latin America, to complement its existing initiatives to support journalism around the world. This will sit alongside existing Journalist and Student Awards in India and Korea.
Walton said, “CNN prides itself on being the world’s news leader, providing news to more people in more places than any other news organisation. But news organisations are only as strong as their journalists, and it is imperative that the diversity of our journalists reflects the diversity of the world they cover. This donation will help ensure that diversity, by directly supporting the efforts of three outstanding organizations that encourage minority journalism students.”
CNN’s previously mentioned $1 million donation, which will be evenly split among the three organisations, will be used to create a CNN25 Scholars Programme. Rigorous criteria for scholarships would likely require demonstrated journalistic excellence, consistent with the values of CNN, and a commitment to community involvement.
CNN is also a long-standing supporter of the Rory Peck Foundation, and the International News Safety Institute (INSI). Last year it announced a new three year bursary, to the Nairobi-based Mohamed Amin Foundation’s Television Training Centre. This provides an annual scholarship to the Centre, which was founded in honour of the late award-winning cameraman and .producer Mohamed Amin, who died in a plane crash in 1996.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
