News Broadcasting
News18 Tamil Nadu’s ‘My Vote My Right’ campaign garners record participation from first-time voters
Mumbai: News18 Tamil Nadu has successfully concluded its ‘My Vote My Right’ campaign with record participation from over five lakh first-time voters. The initiative was aimed to empower and encourage first-time voters to actively engage in the democratic process. Spanning 40 days, the campaign covered 40 Lok Sabha constituencies across Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
The primary objective of the ‘My Vote My Right’ campaign was to educate and inspire individuals about the significance of voting, encouraging them to pledge their commitment to exercising their democratic rights. Surpassing all expectations, the campaign received an overwhelming response, with a total of 5,30,440 students taking a pledge to vote. The signatories belonged to 160 colleges along the length and breadth of the state.
News18 Tamil Nadu editor S. Karthigaichelvan handed over the documents signed by students to the Election Commission, symbolising the dedication of first-time voters to actively participate in shaping the future of their nation.
The grand finale of the campaign, held on 12 April was graced by esteemed guests including Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu Satyabrata Sahoo, Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation J. Radhakrishnan IAS, and acclaimed actor Vishal.
Speaking at the event, chief electoral officer Satyabrata Sahoo commended News18 Tamil Nadu for its efforts. He said, “I am delighted to announce that, for the first time in the 2024 General Elections, we have witnessed 11 lakh first-time voters in the 18 to 19 age category. News18 Tamil Nadu’s achievement of garnering more than 5 lakh signatures from first-time voters is truly monumental.”
Youth icon and popular actor Vishal complimented News18 team for their efforts and urged the students to actively participate in the electoral process on 19 April, emphasizing the importance of their voices in shaping the future of Tamil Nadu.
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.
