News Broadcasting
Survival of small and medium newspapers critical to society: Arjun
NEW DELHI: Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has stressed the importance for small and medium newspapers at a time when the face of Indian Media was changing because of the growth of Internet, the phenomenal rise of Satellite and cable networks, the continuing growth of regional press, and blurring of lines between news and entertainment.
He said all this had obviously led to technological and commercial pressures and changes in professional practices for the media sector.
Inaugurating a seminar on ‘Media and its Responsibilities’ here yesterday, the Minister said the media was rightly acknowledged as one of the important pillars of democracy as it performed the most critical function among institutions that contribute to the makeup of a public sphere in society. ‘It is always interesting to study how the media report and interpret political events and issues, and how media itself influences the political processes and shapes public opinion’, he said.
The Minister said it was very important for the small and medium newspapers to grow in order to ensure multiple access to media by everyone, including the poor and underprivileged sections of society. These newspapers were largely catering to information, communication and entertainment needs of rural and semi-urban India. They drew their strength from being local. One needed to appreciate that people belonging to rural areas possibly would not have access to mediums like internet and satellite and cable television. Their information requirement could either be met by Doordarshan, Radio or newspapers.
Singh said he was aware that small and medium newspapers had to face problems because of small scale of production and lack of resources for continuous technological improvement in production processes. Small newspapers, because of their inherent disability to circulate in huge numbers, and their localized nature, failed to attract enough commercial advertisements, adversely affecting the quality of news gathering and the final product.
Others who spoke at the seminar included former Governor Bhishma Narain Singh, former Central Bureau of Investigation Director Joginder Singh, former Election Commissioner G.V.G. Krishnamurthy, Mrs Deepak Sandhu who is Director General (Media & Communications) Press Information Bureau, All India Small and Medium Newspapers Federation President Gurinder Singh, and Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan.
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.
