News Broadcasting
News channels urge PM to scrap proposed curbs
MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Indian democracy will be damaged if the government decides to go ahead with the proposed curbs on news channels, leading broadcasters said late Monday.
Stressing on the point that media needs ‘self-regulation and not regulation,” 15 editors of news channels said in a letter to prime minister Manmohan Singh that “the proposed measures to gag the electronic media have caused immense disquiet in the journalistic fraternity and amongst all those who believe in the freedom of expression.”
The editors have sought for an urgent appointment with the prime minister and have urged Singh to immediately suspend the proposed measures.
Earlier, the ministry for information and broadcasting had recommended amendment in the law so that government can restrict news coverage during emergencies.
In their letter to the prime minister, who also holds the charge of information and broadcasting ministry, the editors have mentioned that “the media is the watchdog to keep democracy and democratic principles alive. If instruments of the state begin to regulate us, the damage to democracy and all stakeholders in democracy would be irreparable. It is all the more surprising that this is happening when you are directly holding charge of the ministry of Information and Broadcasting.”
Meanwhile, the editors, in a separate statement said that if the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act is amended, then many officials like district magistrates and sub-divisional magistrates) and commissioners of police will have the power to block live transmission of any channel and confiscate transmission equipment.
“The worst aspect of the proposal is the plan to provide visuals and footage through a nodal agency in any situation which is deemed ‘nationally important’. What it means is television channels can no longer cover communal riots and even agitations like the one seen in Rajasthan during the Gujjar Andolan,” stressed editors.
The editors further emphasised the fact that the existing laws already arm the government with substantial powers to legally act against channels which are violating the conditions laid out under the licensing agreements. And the fact that the government has decided to proceed and amend the law indicates that the intention behind such a move is more to gag and disallow the media from performing its duties and not so much to create a penal provision against violators.
The editors also declared that they understand that their right comes with responsibility to function according to the highest standards of ethics and national interest.
The editors at the end stated the need of the government to take a mature and constitutional view of their proposed amendments. “The government must not go ahead with the proposed amendments which would be the worst possible assault on the Fourth Estate, a critical role in the world’s largest and most vibrant democracy,” they added.
Finally, the editors have requested the prime minister to personally meet at the earliest and have stated that these measures “may for all times taint this government as one that tried to impose draconian measures on media.”
The letter is signed by Ajit Anjum (News 24), Arnab Goswami (Times Now), Ashutosh (IBN7), Barkha Dutt (NDTV 24X7), Deepak Chaurasia, Milind Khandekar (Star News), N K Singh (ETV), Pankaj Pachauri (NDTV India), QW Naqwi (Aaj Tak), Rajdeep Sardesai (CNN IBN), Satish K Singh (Zee News), Shazi Zaman (Star News), Supriya Prasad (News 24), Vinay Tiwari (CNN IBN) and Vinod Kapri (India TV).
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
