News Broadcasting
Government moots riders for foreign news channels
MUMBAI: The government has proposed that foreign news channels and wire agencies wishing to downlink to India are eligible for permission subject to a condition, amongst others, that the channel concerned is not specifically designed for Indian audiences.
In what might create problems for the likes of BBC World, CNN and Euro News (it still has limited reach in India), the government has said such news channels should not have advertisements directed towards the Indian audiences.
However, the government has taken note of representations made by foreign news channels and agencies and mooted that temporary uplink permission can be granted to such channels for a year’s time.
At the moment, uplink permission is granted by the Indian government to foreign news channels on a case to case basis for a very limited period of time on occasions like general elections.
In a note for a group of ministers (GoM), studying the uplink and downlink policies before cabinet takes a decision on them, it has been said that “foreign news channels/agencies may be granted permission up to one year at a time for temporary uplinking through a pre-designated teleport.”
The proposal states that such news channels should be accredited with the Press Information Bureau and the news footages uplinked shall be primarily for use abroad and shall not be broadcast in India “without downlinking permission and registration” of the channels.
Diluting an earlier proposal, the government has proposed a fee of Rs. 10,000 for processing an uplink application from a foreign news channel, while stipulating Rs. 50,000 as an annual fee.
What is disturbing, however, is the control that has been sought by the government over all TV channels uplinked from India or outside. And, also the hurry that is being shown.
The GoM has been told in a note prepared by the I&B ministry that uplink and downlink guidelines would be implemented “immediately” after clearance from the Cabinet through an executive order.
“The option of having a regulatory body that would monitor TV content and draw up detailed codes and standards, take action on complaints, etc is being examined separately. This will require legislative sanction for which the process will take considerable time,” the note for the GoM states.
Pointing out that “there are compelling reasons for regulating channels being downlinked,” the note says through the process of registration, the government would be able to get detailed information, including shareholding patterns and business objectives of companies/channels as also their profit and loss accounts.
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.
