News Broadcasting
Delhi HC stays PCI’s order regarding ad in Hindustan newspaper
New Delhi: The Delhi high court stayed a directive passed by the Press Council of India (PCI) to government departments, which had effectively stopped government advertisements in some editions of the Hindi daily, Hindustan.
The directions were passed by the court while hearing a plea filed by Hindustan Media Ventures Ltd, which had challenged the PCI’s order, Live Law reported.
On 22 January, PCI had “censured” Hindustan newspaper stating that it had not clarified that a certain content printed in its Dehradun edition was an advertisement, as required by the norms of journalistic conduct framed by it. PCI also communicated the order to various governmental advertising agencies including the DAVP and sought an `action taken report’.
The counsel for Hindustan argued before the court, that even though the word ‘advt’ does appear in very small font size and print in the advertisement, the impugned order and the communication of the Press Council has, in effect, barred all government agencies from placing advertisements in the said newspaper. He also submitted that PCI’s order was "beyond the powers contemplated under Section 14 of the Press Council Act and was also arbitrary.”
After analysing the order, the court was of the opinion that it indeed gave the impression that government agencies cannot place any advertisements in the said newspapers, even though no such direction was part of the order. Therefore, it decided to stay the PCI’s order communicated to all government departments on 28 January to take action and submit the action taken report.
It further stated that the ramifications of the impugned communication can be quite detrimental to the financial health of the publication, if all government advertising is directed to be stopped due to an order of `censure’ passed by the Press Council.
The case was adjourned for next hearing on 22 April.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
