News Broadcasting
Partial ban on cigarette ads on private TV in Bangladesh
MUMBAI : Neighbour Bangladesh too seems keen to clamp down on advertisements of tobacco use.
As a first step, the Bangladesh government has banned advertisements for cigarettes on private television before 10 pm as an interim measure before slapping a total ban. The decision was taken on Monday by Information Minister Tariqul Islam who directed the authorities concerned to take steps so that “no cigarette advertisement is telecast on private television before 10 pm”, pending a final embargo.
The directive came after elaborate discussion on cigarette advertisements on private TV channels in the meeting held at the Information Ministry yesterday between the government and the private TV authorities. Information Minister Tariqul Islam presided over the meeting, according to a report in the Bangladesh newspaper Daily Star.
On this side of the border, Indian information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj recently reiterated the government’s stance that the existing programming code doesn’t permit TV channels, including state run Doordarshan, to air surrogate liquor or tobacco ads. A government panel which is looking into this issue had been sending notices to various channels and had managed to curb the menace of surrogate ads on TV channels substantially, the government maintains.
The two Bangladeshi private television channels targeted by the ban, Channel I and ATN Bangla also agreed to telecast two news bulletins of the state run BTV every day, in the course of Monday’s meeting. Representatives of the two channels, present at the meeting, said they would incorporate BTV bulletins in their satellite telecasts as per the provision of a clause of the private television channel installation and operation policy, 1998.
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.
