News Broadcasting
Public meet to discuss impact of media violence on children today
A public meeting on the impact of media violence on children, with special emphasis on television, is being organised by the Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) in Delhi on Wednesday.
The meeting, say the organisers, is the culmination of a nine-month research project conducted by CFAR with support from Unicef, Unesco and Ford Foundation. A field study on media viewing habits of children was carried out in five cities – Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad – with children between the ages of six and twelve who belonged to different socio-economic groups.
The study, undertaken between January and July 2001, has thrown up some serious concerns with regard to children’s responses to media violence, concerns which need to be addressed by a wide range of people: parents, teachers, psychologists, child right activists, the government and the entertainment industry.
These concerns include:
The amount of television children watch both in terms of time spent on TV and range of programmes they watch
What “hooks” them to television
Their most vivid recollections of television
Their responses to different types of media violence: horror and the supernatural, graphic physical violence, family drama conflicts and even cartoon violence.
The interactive relationship between reel and real violence in their lives
The findings of the study will be presented along with certain recommendations which will seek to address the main issues at the meet. The public hearing will endeavour to bring together people representing different interest groups to help formulate a blueprint for action which can be faithfully implemented, say the organisers.
Among those expected to participate in the day long sessions are Times of India senior features editor Kaveree Bamzai, Bheeshma International proprietor Mukesh Khanna, Zee ideation head Vinta Nanda, Sabe TV CEO Markand Adhikari, Star creative director Deepak Segal, DD director general SY Qureshi, Unicef’s Geeta Athreya and Children’s Film Society of India chairperson Sai Paranjapye.
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.
