News Broadcasting
VAT issue threatens Athens olympics coverage
MUMBAI: Uncertaintity on whether Greek government would agree to provide refunds of Value Added Tax (VAT) has been sending danger signals to television broadcasters outside the European Union (EU).
If the government disagrees, broadcasters will have to crop their Athens 2004 olympics games coverage.
In previous years, host countries have refunded VAT paid on services and facilities connected with the production of olympics coverage. But Greece is yet to commit refunding VAT paid on transmission charges and have been giving negative responses so far.
This time VAT refunds are guaranteed only to broadcasters which have a registered corporate entity in the EU which means that large broadcasting organisations in some of the wealthier countries outside of the EU will be able to claim refunds, but broadcasters which do not have corporate entities in Europe will have to pay the tax.
This is despite the enormous promotional benefits that Greece will receive overseas.
Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) secretary-general David Astley is quoted in media reports as saying the soaring Euro and the refusal to refund VAT payments was unfairly slugging his members.
The ABU represents more than 100 national broadcasters and 25 Olympic territories, and its members have a combined viewership of 3.7 billion people.
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.
