News Broadcasting
National Geographic and the ministry of environment, forest and climate control join hands in the fight against single-use plastic
MUMBAI: National Geographic and the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Control have joined forces to support each other’s initiatives aimed at addressing the perils of single-use plastic. National Geographic has partnered with the Ministry for its campaign around the World Environment Day Programme, while the Ministry is supporting National Geographic’s ‘Planet or Plastic’ initiative.
Worldwide, a trillion single-use plastic bags are used each year. Globally, we are consuming a million plastic bottles every minute! The main challenge in all of this consumption is the fact that unfortunately more than 40% of the plastic produced is used only once, and then discarded. To address this complex issue National Geographic has launched a multiyear global campaign – ‘Planet or Plastic’; which seeks to not only spread awareness, but also educate and inspire action against single-use plastic.
Realizing that consumer education and action may not enough to bring about the change required, the 130 year old brand today calls upon various Industries to come together to support this cause, and has decided to lead by example. From the month of June onwards, the plastic wrapping of National Geographic Magazine in India, UK & US editions has been eliminated. This move will enable the brand to save more than 2.5 million single-use plastic bags every month. Additionally, the organization has pledged to reduce its usage of single-use plastic for all its production shoots in India, as well as across its offices in the country.
Endorsing National Geographic’s commitment, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, along with Ms Swati Mohan, Business Head, National Geographic & FOX Networks Group – India, unveiled the first ever plastic free issue of the magazine during the State Environment Ministers’ Conference at the World Environment Day Programme on 4th June, 2018.
Lauding National Geographic’s initiative, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, said. “There are diverse environmental hazards associated with the accumulation of plastic waste and there are growing concerns about its effects on human health and our entire eco system. Therefore, how to reduce the use of Plastic and its by-products is one area which needs to be addressed and is a serious challenge facing entire humanity today. I am happy to see National Geographic’s commitment towards our ecosystem by setting an example for the industry to follow. I believe that there is a role for each citizen in this via appropriate use and disposal, particularly recycling; as well as for the industry by adopting green chemistry, and for us in the government by setting standards and targets so that we can actually manage to drive a social change. I urge everyone to join the crusade against plastic and all other environmental hazards. It is within the reach of each individual to adopt small changes in their way of life – which I term as Green Good Deeds – and to contribute towards a better environment. As a society, we have to move towards Green Good Behaviour. Our industry too has to execute its Green Social Responsibility without which we will be unable to meet this challenge that threatens our existence. I appeal to everyone to join this crusade and help to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste.”
Commenting on the initiative, National Geographic and Fox Networks Group India, Business Head, Swati Mohan says: “We, at National Geographic, take great pride in our 130 years of change-inspiring storytelling and are pleased to continue our efforts this World Environment Day with our ‘Planet or Plastic’ initiative, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. In a country where more than 40% of plastic waste remains uncollected, it is critical to understand just how severe the continued use of single-use plastic could become for the sustainability of the ecosystem. With our efforts across production shoots, office spaces and magazine distribution on removing single-use plastic we should be able to reduce our plastic consumption by about 70%. Environmental stewardship is a joint responsibility of the whole industry and hence, we will continue to welcome many more partners and ideas to help drive this critical mission.”
News Broadcasting
Rajesh Sundaram joins NDTV Profit as senior editor, assignment
The 32-year newsroom veteran has launched channels on three continents and covered everything from 9/11 to South African television
MUMBAI: NDTV Profit has bolstered its newsroom with a hire who has done rather more than most. Rajesh Sundaram, a journalist with over three decades of editorial, managerial and consultative experience across India and international markets, joins as senior editor, assignment, tasked with sharpening the network’s newsgathering and real-time response.
Sundaram’s career reads like a tour of Indian media’s most formative moments. He began at Businessworld in 1994, moved to Zee News as bureau chief across Mumbai and Chennai, then joined NDTV in 2002 as part of its political bureau during a particularly febrile period in Indian politics. A stint as India correspondent for Al Jazeera International followed, where he covered key geopolitical developments and got his first serious taste of the global newsroom.
What sets Sundaram apart, however, is his serial channel-launching habit. At NewsX, he helped get the operation off the ground. At Headlines Today, part of the India Today Group, he served as editor. At News Nation, he helped launch the Hindi news channel and its digital ecosystem. He then crossed continents to lead the launch of ANN7 in South Africa as editor-in-chief, overseeing both television and digital. Back in India, he launched Tamil news channels News7 Tamil and Cauvery News, and later served as principal consultant for the launch of Marathi channel Lokshahi. Most recently, he helped build and lead the Press Trust of India’s video service and content studio, before stints consulting for Business Today and The Himalayan Times.
Rahul Kanwal, chief executive and editor-in-chief of NDTV, left little doubt about what Sundaram is expected to deliver. “The assignment desk is where a newsroom’s intent becomes action,” he said. “Rajesh brings a rare combination of field experience and leadership in building news operations at scale.”
Sundaram has reported from across India and the world, covering elections, civil conflicts, the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the 2008 US presidential election.
At NDTV Profit, he will lead the assignment desk, driving editorial coordination and real-time response across markets and breaking developments. For a business news network sharpening its focus on speed and multi-platform delivery, it has hired a man who has built newsrooms from scratch on three continents. The assignment desk is in good hands.
