News Broadcasting
Swaraj favours more teeth for Press Council
NEW DELHI: India’s Information and Broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj today said that the government would consider providing more powers to the Press Council of India, including the penal powers which the Council wants in order to enforce its decisions on offenders.
She said the government is also considering setting up an independent Broadcasting Regulatory Authority for the electronic media to check the onslaught on our culture, traditions and other undesirable telecasts. She invited suggestions from women’s organisations in this regard so that the government could take an overall view before arriving at a decision.
Inaugurating the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of the All India Women’s Conference here today, Swaraj regretted that a large number of serials, telecast mostly on private electronic channels, portray women in a very derogatory manner as if women are always conspiring, quarrelling on small issues and indulging in intrigues.
She said advertisements both in print and electronic media show semi-nude pictures of women, treating woman as a commodity to boost the sales of different products. Films too show women as either submissive and meek or only as objects of pleasure. The struggling and successful aspects of women are not projected to inspire others, Swaraj regretted.
She also inaugurated a seminar on “Women and Media” and released a First Day Special Cover issued by the Postal Department on the Platinum Jubilee of AIWC. Prominent mediapersons who participated in the seminar included journalist Usha Rai, and TV personalities Rajdeep Sardesai, Prabhat Dabral and Deepak Chaurasia.
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.
