News Broadcasting
Ficci, IPRS work to make copyrights laws stringent
NEW DELHI: Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Ficci), in association with the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS), is working on a proposal to suggest amendments in the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Act to make the copyrights laws more stringent.
According to IPRS, the suggestions for amendments are almost ready, and revolve around the fact that such a policy should be “frequently re-visited to keep pace with the changes in technology.”
At a roundtable on IPR, broadcasters and performing artistes here, organised by Ficci, IPRS representatives said that there is blatant flouting of even existing norms and that performers are not getting their due right.
In this regard, IPRS is working towards a model where performing artistes would get royalty for their work from the media and other channels for usage.
“The IPR Act should be frequently revised, as done in Japan, so that the law can keep pace with the fast-changing technology,” an IPRS executive said, pointing out that legal proceedings need to be established, implemented stringently and adhered to by the industry.
IPRS also feels that all channels, including TV and radio, need to notify in advance when and where works of performing arts would be used by them. This way, the organisation felt, there would be some uniformity in the industry.
Meanwhile, speaking at the same roundtable, Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma announced that All India Radio, had decided to pay royalty to Indian music performers, on 2 October. Earlier, only the Western music performers were being paid the royalty.
The Prasar Bharati chief also urged the government to support the treaty, now under consideration at the World Intellectual Property Organisation, which aims at protecting the interests of performers as well as producers.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
