Kids
Kids split over TV coverage of Iraq conflict
NEW YORK: If adults across the globe are polarised by the ongoing Iraq conflict, can one expect anything different from kids?
The answer is no if one goes by the results of an online poll being conducted by Scholastic, the global children’s publishing and media company, The question raised was whether the television channels are giving too much coverage to the Iraq conflict. 38,593 US students answered in the affirmative while 38,012 believed that the amount of television news coverage of the war with Iraq has been appropriate.
The online poll at Scholastic News (http://www.scholastic.com/news), a leading source on the web for age-appropriate, daily news content for kids, began on 24 March and has already received 76,605 responses. Kids can share their opinion on this subject until today.
Children with relatives in Iraq see the coverage as a way to keep in touch. However, a concern has been raised that kids too small to understand what is going on are exposed to war mongering images simply because of channel surfing.
Editor in Chief, Scholastic Classroom Magazines Rebecca Bondor says, “Our young readers feel that they need information on the unfolding events in Iraq. However, it’s very important that parents and teachers seek out news sources created with their children’s ages and sensitivities in mind, and that they also find a balance between keeping kids informed about world events and having them be bombarded with minute by minute televised reports.
We believe news about war, geared to school age children must have age-appropriate content. Scholastic’s classroom magazines and news web site have always been a valuable resource for parents and teachers, delivering articles and information written for their kids’ ages that foster discussions and address children’s questions and concerns.”
The Scholastic poll is not based on a scientifically designed sample of the student population. It is designed as an educational activity to encourage student thought and debate, and to give students an opportunity to express their opinions. The respondents are self-selected, based on teachers who want their classes to participate and students who want to participate individually.
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
