News Broadcasting
Stephen Sackur replaces Tim Sebastian on ‘Hardtalk’
MUMBAI: News broadcaster The BBC has announced that Stephen Sackur will be the new host of the current affairs show Hardtalk.
He replaces Tim Sebastian who decided to step down in order to concentrate on other projects for the BBC. Two years ago Sebastian had visited India on a promotional tour. Sebastian had presented Hardtalk since it began in March 1997.
Sackur takes over from 18 April 2005. He is currently based in Brussels, Belgium, as the BBC’s Europe correspondent. He will move to BBC Television Centre in London.
Sackur says, “This is a huge challenge for me. I have spent the past 15 years as a foreign correspondent, representing the BBC abroad, and am very much aware of the massive pulling power of Hardtalk. I’ve met many world leaders, all of whom respect Hardtalk.
“I can think of no bigger programme to get involved with. I’ve had pretty much the best job in the BBC as a foreign correspondent, and the only way of topping it is through Hardtalk, putting tough questions to the people who shape our world.”
Sebastian said, “It has been an enormous privilege to ask leading questions and to travel the world trying to get answers. We have left some bruised political egos in our wake, and some important feathers ruffled. I wish Stephen luck and I hope very much that viewers will give him their support.”
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.
