News Broadcasting
News Broadcasters Association roots for freedom to proceed against TV channels
NEW DELHI: The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has expressed deep concern over the show cause notice sent to three Indian news broadcasters by the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry pertaining to their coverage of stories linked to Yakub Memon’s hanging.
This comes close on the heels of the statement put out by the Broadcasters Editors Association, wherein it expressed concern over the “apparent tendency among governments, both at the centre and in some states, to serve notices on media organisations in a selective manner.”
As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, the I&B Ministry had sent notices to three channels namely NDTV 24×7/NDTV India, Aaj Tak and ABP News relating to Memon’s execution coverage.
The NBA notes that the notice was for reportedly having aired phone-in interviews of underworld gangster Chhota Shakeel on two channels, which according to the I&B Ministry casts aspersions against the integrity of the President and the Judiciary; and can incite violence and lead to law and order problems. In light of this, NBA has urged the Ministry to withdraw the show cause notices issued and refer them to the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) instead, which would consider it under its regulations.
In a statement, the NBA said, “The present Government has gone on record to state that it believes the media should be independent without any government interference and it should self regulate itself.”
Now it remains to be seen whether the Ministry hands the matter over to the NBSA to look into.
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.
