News Broadcasting
No differences on content sharing: Reddy
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NEW DELHI: Information and broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy today said that the uplink and the proposed downlink laws will be taken to the Union Cabinet for fresh review “in a few weeks time.” Addressing a news conference here today, Reddy said, “The group of ministers’ (GoM) report has been finalised and it will be taken to the Cabinet for an approval in a few weeks time.” |
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Earlier, when the same proposals, framed by the I&B ministry, had been taken up by the Union Cabinet for discussion in July, certain clauses on sports content sharing on a mandatory basis with the Indian pubcaster had raised a stink.  Subsequently, the proposed legislation was referred for review to a GoM, headed by defence minister Pranab Mukherjee. |
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Interestingly, an interaction between some of the members of the GoM and the industry, under the aegis of an apex chamber of commerce, is scheduled tomorrow. Though Reddy was cagey about detailing anything, he, however, denied differences within the GoM on any issue. Asked by Indiantelevision.com whether the clause relating to content sharing has been diluted, on the insistence of other ministers, Reddy said, “It should suffice that there are no differences.” Still, some media reports, including Indiantelevision.com, had stated earlier that sports content would have to be shared with Doordarshan, but for events that are signed up by private broadcasters after the law comes into force. Indiantelevision.com’s report was based on conversation with a A clause in the proposed downlink law and the to-be-amended uplink guidelines states that all listed sports events, held within and outside the country, would have to be shared with DD for all its services, terrestrial and DTH, on a mandatory basis by private broadcasters if they have the telecast rights. While pushing for such a law, the government and DD had argued that similar legislation exist in the UK and Australia too. Still, it would be interesting for the GoM to note that the British The Guardian quoted British culture secretary Tessa Jowell as saying, “It is important to be absolutely clear that Sky won that competition in a completely proper and transparent way.” The last review of the listed events in the UK was carried out in 1998, when cricket was moved to a B-list, which guaranteed only terrestrial highlights. |
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.
