News Broadcasting
CNN wins Peabody Award for Katrina coverage
MUMBAI: The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication announced that CNN has received a George Foster Peabody Award for its distinguishing coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.
For CNN’s 10th Peabody, the judges cited CNN for being the “go-to” channel for “essential, up-to-the-minute information for viewers, listeners and online users” about the disaster.
CNN Worldwide president Jim Walton said,”We are pleased that the Peabody panel deemed our work to be worthy of one of the most prestigious awards in journalism. The award not only honored our dedication to the story but our unique ability to provide millions of people with news and information across multiple platforms. No matter where or when they needed the news about Katrina, people around the world depended on CNN.”
CNN provided unmatched coverage of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina before and after it made landfall on 29 August 2005, showing once again its power as a breaking news network and the premier source for news and updates long after the U.S. Gulf Coast felt the full force of the hurricane.
CNN’s coverage went beyond television and cable news. Through CNNRadio and CNN Newsource, CNN provided important news and report packages to its numerous affiliates in the region and elsewhere. CNN.com provided extensive online coverage of the disaster as well, servicing more than 33.2 million videos and more than 572 million page views within the first week of the tragedy.
CNN also offered public service journalism through the creation of a “Victims and Relief Desk,” which aired segments and posted resources in an attempt to link those left stranded with relief efforts. The Peabody awards will be presented on 5 June in New York City. Jon Stewart will be the master of ceremonies.
Established in 1939 and first awarded in 1940, the George Foster Peabody Awards recognize distinguished achievement and meritorious service by radio and television networks, stations, producing organizations, cable television organizations and individuals. They perpetuate the memory of the banker-philanthropist whose name they bear.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
