News Broadcasting
Will private players in Pakistan pound PTV?
More than two years after promising to open the floodgates to private TV channels, General Musharraf this week approved an ordinance that allows private sector television in Pakistan.
The PEMRA Ordinance 2002 allows the establishment of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority that will issue licenses to broadcast media operaters. The move is meant to bring in the element of ‘transparency and an invisible system of accountability through media available at local community, provincial, national, and international levels.’ This spells competition not only for the three state controlled channels in the country, but also to those from across the border that beam their programmes into Pakistan, and have a loyal following.
The Cable TV network, earlier supervised by the IT and T Division, has been brought into the fold of this law and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will continue to guide and support its technical side. The PEMRA rules include a Code of Conduct for media broadcasters and CTV operators to ensure decency and responsibility, and a clause stipulating that programming content of broadcasts are to be strictly and regularly monitored. A council of complaints has also been provided in the law to respond to people’s complaints, and recommendations for disciplinary action against broadcasters violating the code of ethics and other provisions of the law have also been provided.
Foreign television channels however will not be allowed entry, nor will licenses be granted to promoters who are not citizens or residents of Pakistan. Among others excluded from setting up shop in Pakistan are foreign companies established under the laws of any foreign government, companies the majority of whose shares are owned or controlled by foreign nationals or companies whose management or control is vested in foreign national or companies.
While the behemoth PTV and its sister channels will perforce have to shape up to match rivals from the private sector, channels like Prime Entertainment Channel (PEC), Indus Vision and ARY Gold targeting the Urdu population, have already built up a reputation in the country.
UAE based satellite channel ARY Gold’s strengths, say reports, lies in its current affairs programmes, while the Prime Entertainment Channel has an interesting line up of shows and soaps. Set up recently,
The PEC is reported to be the only entertainment based channel completely dependent on foreign investment.
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.
