News Broadcasting
In an interview with Zee Media DPC Neeraj Kumar says December 16 gang-rape aftermath was a conspiracy against him
New Delhi: Zee Media today aired a Television Interview of Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar where he claimed that the December 16 gang-rape aftermath was a conspiracy of those who were against his appointment.
Calling the incident a “serious and fearful” one, he says it was difficult for the cops because the accused didn’t have any past criminal records. Strongly defending the police action in handling the massive protests after the incident, the Police Commissioner, who will retire this month end, said he was personally targeted during his tenure.
He said that the Delhi Police took all possible steps, and it was for the first time that a campaign was aimed against the police force. He also said that though such incidents have taken place earlier as well, but the police commissioner’s role was never questioned. He also felt that it was a campaign to malign him, though he did not have any evidence to prove this. He further said that every year over 5,000 of such cases take place, but people fear the police and don’t come forward to report such incidents. It is this mentality that motivates the criminals, he said.
On the IPL fixing scadal, he said that exposing the incident was an achievement that and he was proud of it. “First of all we caught the fixers then we fixed the players. People do not understand that if we had no evidence then we could not have taken such actions against them. Simply naming a player does not dent his career, we did it very carefully.” Talking about S Sreesanth, he said justice would take a little longer.
Sudhir Chaudhary, Editor, Zee Media said “We have always striven to bring out the truth in all cases of public importance and have given everyone the right to defend themselves. With this interview as well we are trying to give opportunity to another of those that the citizen believe have not been able to do justice to their position and to provide his side of the story. Now, it is up to the viewers to make a decision for themselves on the issue.”
News Broadcasting
Mihir Bhatt appointed as chief content officer at News18 Studios
The media veteran brings two decades of experience across television, digital and radio to one of India’s biggest broadcast networks, Disney+ Hotstar, Discovery+
NEW DELHI: Network18 has a new strategist in the building. Mihir Bhatt, one of Indian media’s more versatile operators, has joined News18 Studios as chief content officer, stepping into a role that will see him shape content strategy, build multi-platform properties and drive brand partnerships across the network.
Bhatt brings more than two decades of experience spanning television, digital and radio, with a track record of doing something rare in Indian media: combining editorial ambition with hard commercial results. At Times Network, where he served as managing editor and chief business officer of Times Influence, he built one of the industry’s more respected content studios, launching marquee properties such as the India Economic Conclave, the Times Now Summit and Leaders of Tomorrow. He also pushed the network into premium OTT territory through tie-ups with Disney+ Hotstar and Discovery+.
His resume stretches well beyond the studio. Bhatt has led Global Investor Summits for multiple state governments, worked alongside the World Economic Forum and played a pivotal role in launching the Indian Pickleball League. Earlier, as editor of Zee Business, he pioneered investor education initiatives that are still cited as industry benchmarks.
At News18 Studios, Bhatt will report to chief executive S Shivakumar and will oversee the studios execution vertical alongside revenue verticals covering emerging markets and campaigns. Sidharth Saini, Hemanth Kumar and Nimar Sarkaria will work under him.
Rahul Joshi, managing director and editor-in-chief of Network18 Group, made the announcement in an internal communication. “Mihir’s ability to build enduring brands, foster strategic partnerships and navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our position and explore new avenues of growth in the Studios business,” Joshi said.
In a media industry lurching between disruption and reinvention, Network18 has bet on a man who has spent two decades thriving in exactly that chaos. Whether he can do it again, at greater scale, is the question worth watching.
