News Broadcasting
Government moots Optical Disc Law to counter video piracy
MUMBAI: Information & Broadcasting minister P.R. Dasmunsi has informed the Rajya Sabha that the government has received a proposal to enact an Optical Disc Law to counter piracy in the entertainment sector.
In a written reply to a question raised in upper house of parliament, the minister also informed that the government has made suggestions for restricting incidence of piracy in the film and music sector while considering the ongoing amendments to the Copyright Act.
According to Dasmunshi, the ministry, in consultation with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and other stakeholders, is examining the need for a separate legislation for this purpose.
Other measures initiated by the ministry include organising training programmes for police personnel on copyright issues in the film sector, National Film Development Corporation Ltd has been commissioned to produce an anti piracy campaign, a film against piracy has been made by Public Service Broadcast Trust on behalf of the Ministry and audio CDs were exempted from excise duty to do away the price advantage available to pirated CDs.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
