News Broadcasting
Press Council wants larger ambit to deal with paid news
NEW DELHI: The Press Council of India has demanded that it should be reconstituted with members from the electronic and other media if it has to check the paid news syndrome.
In its report dated 30 July, the PCI also wanted the Press Council of India Act 1978 to be amended to give it more powers to make its recommendations binding, and for empowering it to adjudicate the complaints of paid news and give final judgment in the matter.
Parliament was informed by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni that the Representation of the People’s Act 1951 should be amended to make incidence of paid news a punishable electoral malpractice.
It has recommended that the Election Commission should set up a special cell for action against complaints about paid news.
While recommending self-regulation by the media to check the menace, the PCI said the guidelines drawn up by it earlier on coverage of elections should be adhered to by the media organisations.
Voters should be educated to enable them to differentiate between paid news items from genuine news, and there should be awareness generation amongst the stakeholders.
At the outset, the Council has defined paid news as “any news or analysis appearing in any media (print and electronic) for a price in cash or kind as consideration.”
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.
