News Broadcasting
Manish Tewari does not endorse internet policing
NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting (I&B) minister Manish Tewari feels that those who insist on privacy and the right to use new media on the internet should understand that while the government does not favour policing, the users themselves have to show a certain sense of responsibility while going on the social space.
Speaking on freedom of expression in the internet age at a function here last night, Tewari said that there is a need to draw a line between policing and freedom of speech and expression adding that the right to online privacy and anonymity should come with accountability. He also defended the government for policing of online content that it deemed “defamatory”.
The minister also feels that there should be agreed global rules of engagements in this new media space to prevent misuse.
“We do not believe there should be a regulation or policing of the internet but common rules of engagement need to emerge in the new media space also because it is a virtual civilisation which has its own dynamics,” said Tewari
He referred to the recent riots in Muzaffarnagar where he claimed that a video posted on YouTube had flared up the entire incident. He also referred to the mass exodus from Bangalore of people hailing from the northeast from southern states last year after rumours of attack on them spread.
The rules of engagement are important because hardware responsible for dissemination of information over the Internet may not be under the control of a state at whom it is targeted. He said this as he noted that the cyber world has the potential to inflict destruction though it enables grassroots democratisation.
He sought the views of stakeholders on the role that a government can play when people fan violence through new media.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
