News Broadcasting
Prasar Bharati CEO Sarma elected ABU vice-president
NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati CEO KS Sarma has been elected vice-president of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) for a three-year term. Sarma was elected for the post un-opposed at the 39th general assembly of the ABU, which opened in Tokyo yesterday.
Sarma’s election underlines the importance of India’s role in shaping the future of public service broadcasting in the world’s fastest developing Asia-Pacific region, according to a Prasar Bharati press release.
Gemstar CEO Henry Yuen resigned last month after an accounting review by the board’s audit committee, and last week the company fired its accounting firm, KPMG LLP.
The ABU is made up of 100 broadcasters from 49 nations and territories of the Asia and Pacific region. It provides a platform for cooperation in the field of news and programme exchange, acquisition of broadcast rights, training and technical consultancy.
National broadcaster Doordarshan and All India Radio are among the most active members of the ABU, the release says.
The focus of the 39th General Assembly in Tokyo is on the role of broadcasting in the 21st century and how broadcasting can solve such global issues such as education and environment. More than 400 delegates are attending the current ABU general assembly.
Prasar Bharati is being represented by Sarma, director general Doordarshan Dr SY Quraishi and Doordarshan engineer-in-chief RK Gupta.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
