News Broadcasting
PEMRA fines channels for excessive Indian content
MUMBAI: 10 Pakistani entertainment channels have been imposed with a fine of PKR 1 million each by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for violating the code of conduct by airing excessive foreign content.
According to a document issued by the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, the local channels have been caught with airing excessive Indian content from the prescribed Pemra limits, thus violating the code of conduct and code of advertising.
The channels that have been held include: Hum TV, Oxygen TV, Play TV, Kohinoor Entertainment, TV One Entertainment, NTV Entertainment, GXM Entertainment, Jalwa Entertainment. While private TV channels of the country have been authorised to air only 10 per cent foreign content and 60 per cent of that 10 per cent should be Indian or other content and 40 per cent of the 10 per cent may be English content, the channels in Pakistan have been found to flout that rule.
Apart from the Rs 1 million fine, the TV channels have also been issued warning letters to desist from such practice in future.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
