News Broadcasting
Discovery Networks plan to eliminate on-screen credits raises IDA ire
The International Documentary Association (IDA) has assembled a broad coalition consisting of, among others, writers, actors, directors, producers to protest against the plans of Discovery Communications to stop screening end title credits on Discovery Networks.
News reports which appeared last week in America said Discovery executives were planning to eliminate on-screen credits during meetings with selected non-fiction programme producers.
Newspaper and trade articles reported that credits would be replaced with listings on a website. Discovery executives have put the blame on the doorstep of viewers who they claim are “channel surfing away” from the cable networks’ channels during the 30 seconds it typically takes to screen credits.
IDA President Michael Donaldson said: “There are creative solutions to the channel surfing problem that will be fairer to non-fiction filmmakers, and also to the viewers who have an inherent right to know who produced the programs they are watching. Eliminating credits is the equivalent of publishing news stories without bylines and making works of art anonymous. The names of authors of non-fiction programs are vital subtext for the stories they tell.”
One of the issues raised at the first Documentary Credits Coalition (DCC) meeting was the fact that many people participate in the production of non-fiction films with minimal and sometimes no financial compensation because they believe it is a story that deserves to be told. Credits in titles are their main compensation.
Donaldson went on to say that the proposed move from Discovery undermined the independent spirit that John Hendricks embraced when he founded Discovery in 1985.
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.
