News Broadcasting
Star News exclusive: witness who absolved Sarabjit threatened
Salim Shaukat, the prime prosecution witness in the case against Sarabjit Singh was threatened in Lahore, Pakistan and warned off speaking with the media. Salim, who lost his father in a bomb blast in Lahore over a decade ago, was a crucial link in the prosecutions case against Sarabjit Singh.
Earlier, in an exclusive interview to STAR News, Salim had made the sensational disclosure that he had never seen Sarabjit Singh and that his statement in a Pakistani court had been tutored by the Pakistani police.
The disclosure had considerably strengthened Sarabjit Singh’s case, and his lawyer, Rana Abdul Hamid had told STAR News that he intended to present the transcript of the interview as additional evidence in court during appeal.
Sarabjit is currently on death row in the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Pakistan.
Speaking on the telephone from Lahore to STAR News, Salim said that he was threatened by two men on a motorcycle, while returning home. The men asked him to identify himself, and then warned him of dire consequences if he continued speaking to the media.
Salim said that the men instructed him “not to give interviews” or to “comment on Sarabjit’s guilt or innocence”.
Salim told STAR News, that after being threatened, he has been “feeling scared” and that he has “just been sitting at home”. Salim told STAR News that he was a “poor man, with a family to take care of” and that he “didn’t know what to do or say now”.
Salim added that he got a good look at the two men on the motorcycle; however, he didn’t recognize them. Salim said that his family and the people at his house were all worried about his safety.
When probed by STAR News, Salim maintained that he would repeat his statement in court, if the government provided him with adequate protection.
He said, “I am a poor and decent man. If my safety is guaranteed, I will speak the truth in court.”
STAR NEWS EXCLUSIVE: WITNESS WHO ABSOLVED SARABJIT THREATENED
The telephonic interview of Salim Shaukhat was broadcast on STAR News on the 6th of September, 2005
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News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
