News Broadcasting
Open Mike – Voice of the People
MUMBAI: With the announcement of General Elections 2014, the spotlight is now on the voters who will play an important role in the entire process. In an effort to provide a platform to them on what they think about various socio-political issues and how they want to get them addressed, CNN-IBN & IBN7 are launching a unique initiative called Open Mike on 10th March, 2014. This one-of-its-kind initiative will give the common citizens an opportunity to voice their concerns, grievances, opinions and expectations from the upcoming General Elections at a scale that has never been seen before.
Everyday a question revolving around the key political issues, opinions and policies will be put on–air as well as on the network’s various online and social media properties. ‘Open Mike’ will travel across pre-selected locations in 17 major cities across the country and capture bytes from people on the said question. Selected responses will be aired as special segments in the newswheel throughout the day on both the channels. In addition to this, a special half-hour show will also go on-air Mon-Thu at 10:30pm on CNN-IBN. Viewers would also be able to submit their videos, responses on the channel’s various web and social media interfaces.
Speaking on the launch of this initiative, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN Network, said, “CNN-IBN and IBN7 have always followed a legacy of inclusive journalism. Taking this legacy forward at a very significant time in India, we have come up with the initiative ‘Open Mike’ to enable our common citizens to fully exercise their right to express their views and expectations from the government and help shape the future of our country.”
Don’t miss this special starting from Monday, March 10th only on CNN-IBN & IBN7.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Kolkata Town Hall on Hooghly River
‘Bhalobasa Bengal Inspiring Bharat’ event on April 20 brings cultural icons, trailblazing women and leaders aboard a cruise to celebrate Bengal’s enduring influence.
MUMBAI: Bengal is about to make fresh waves on the Hooghly and this time the current is pure conversation. CNN-News18 is taking its iconic Town Hall format to the waters of the iconic Hooghly River on 20 April 2026 with a special edition titled ‘Bhalobasa Bengal – Inspiring Bharat’. The floating event will celebrate the state’s rich cultural legacy and how its ideas, creativity and spirit continue to shape the rest of the country.
The unique riverside setting draws on Bengal’s history as a cradle of reform, art and intellectual thought. The speaker line-up mirrors that diversity: cultural heavyweights Mithun Chakraborty and Sreenanda Shankar will share the stage with trailblazing “Devis” such as Tanya Sanyal (India’s first woman firefighter in aviation), Ipsita Chakraborty (Kolkata’s first woman bartender) and Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi (Nari Shakti awardee and marine pilot). Music will flow through the celebrated pianist-vocalist duo Sourendro and Soumyojit, while public life and governance will be represented by Smriti Irani, Leander Paes, Saira Shah Halim, Keya Ghosh, Rekha Patra, Roopa Ganguly and Babul Supriyo.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director, Rahul Shivshankar, said the event honours voices that carry Bengal’s legacy forward. Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, added that Bengal’s stories resonate far beyond its borders, especially as the state heads into polls.
From the first woman to battle flames in the skies to legendary actors who shaped Indian cinema, the gathering promises a rich mix of inspiration, courage and candid dialogue. In a city where culture has always flowed as freely as the river itself, CNN-News18 is turning the Hooghly into a floating forum for ideas that matter.
Tune in on 20 April on CNN-News18, CTV and YouTube to catch Bengal’s heartbeat in full flow.
