News Broadcasting
Iran ban on Al-Jazeera “spiteful”: IFJ
MUMBAI: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the Iranian government’s decision to ban Al-Jazeera in the country, calling it a “spiteful act of censorship.”
The Iranian government closed the offices of the Arab satellite television channel in Tehran, accusing it of inflaming violent protests by the country’s Arab minority.
“This closure is a spiteful act of censorship and a blatant attempt by the authorities to make media the scapegoat for civil unrest,” said IFJ general secretary Aidan White. “If Iran has complaints about media standards it should seek professional redress, not take action that undermines Press freedom and pluralism.”
The IFJ says that the ban on Al-Jazeera should be lifted and the office re-opened.
The Al-Jazeera interview of the Popular Democratic Front of Ahawazi Arabs in Iran, a London-based organisation which is forbidden in the country and has denounced “80 years of Iranian occupation in Khuzestan”, has apparently sparked the retaliation of the authorities. The government has denied the authenticity of a document quoted by the Front’s representative, which was referring to alleged plans to revise the ethnic composition of the area.
According to a BBC News report, three people have died in ethnic clashes in Iran’s south-west Khuzestan province over the past few days. The IFJ statement says at least one person died after Arab-Iranians went on the rampage in the city of Ahvaz, near the border with Iraq, at the weekend.
“Al-Jazeera coverage of the events respected a strictly journalistic and balanced view of opinions, which by no means signified the adhesion of the media itself to the position of the interviewees,” said White.
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.
