News Broadcasting
MP, Odisha & Bihar declare journalists frontline workers; Centre still mum
KERALA: As the second wave of Covid2019 continues to wreak havoc in India, the states of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Bihar have declared journalists as frontline workers, so that the media community can avail prioritised vaccination against the deadly pathogen.
“Corona vaccine will be given to journalists on a priority basis in the state. Journalists [are] doing their best during these pandemic times. They are making people aware of the dangers associated with coronavirus infection,” tweeted Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday.
राज्य में पत्रकारों को प्राथमिकता के आधार पर कोरोना का टीका लगाया जायेगा। कोरोना संक्रमण के दौर में पत्रकार अपनी भूमिका का बेहतर निवर्हन कर रहे हैं। वे कोरोना संक्रमण के खतरों के प्रति लोगों को जागरूक कर रहे हैं।
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) May 2, 2021
After classifying scribes as frontline warriors, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik said that news mediapersons in the country are working hard to provide seamless newsfeed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The decision from these two states comes at a time when the Editors Guild of India has urged the central government to assign journalists frontline worker status.
“Few weeks ago, EGI had demanded that journalists be declared as frontline workers and be vaccinated on priority to protect them from the new variant. Despite the support from various state governments and media organisations, the central government has not responded to this request. Now, even though vaccination has been technically opened for all above 18 years of age, there is an acute shortage of vaccines. Therefore the Guild’s urgent demand that journalists be given priority along with other frontline workers,” said the Guild in a recent statement.
The body also urged all media organisations in the nation to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of their men and women in the field and in newsrooms.
A few days back, the Uttarakhand government had also classified journalists as frontline workers. The state’s CM Tirath Singh Rawat has ordered the vaccination of all journalists and representatives of media organisations.
Last week, India reached the grim milestone of 4 lakh new Covid cases reported in a single day. On May 2, the country recorded over 3,68,000 fresh cases and 3,417 deaths. The total number of active cases in the country is now at 34,13,642.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
