ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • Delhi HC fallout: NBA chastises motivated stings

    Delhi HC fallout: NBA chastises motivated stings

    NEW DELHI: For the first time since its inception, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) have officially criticised motivated sting operations on TV news channels, saying that the Delhi High Court’s suggestion that an I&B ministry committee clear all stings before going on air is a matter of grave concern.

    In a press note, NBA president G Krishnan said, “We condemn motivated reporting that attempts to fabricate news to gain popularity at the cost of journalistic integrity.”

    Krishnan also added that such acts risk discrediting television news and indeed the news media as a whole.

    “But this does not mean that sting operations are wrong in principle. The NBA believes that sting operations are a legitimate journalistic tool and means of investigation, but like all powerful tools they have to be used with care and responsibility,” he emphasised.

    It may be recalled that on 30 August, the TV news channel India Live had shown a ‘sting’ that purportedly ‘caught’ Uma Khurana, a school teacher, using her students for flesh trade.

    While the so-called news exposé caused rioting in Delhi’s congested Dariya Ganj area, within two days the operation had been found to be fake, the reporter arrested and a while later, Khurana was cleared by the police.

    Dismissing the case two days ago, the Delhi HC chastised sensational reporting and suggested that the concerned ministry set up a committee to subject all stings to scrutiny and give them clearance, which the journalistic circle has been alarmed about.

    If the ministry were to take up the court’s suggestion at all, there would be clear chances of censorship, the media has felt widely.

    “We have noted with concern the suggestion of the Delhi High Court that the I&B Ministry set up a committee to vet sting operations and issue no-objection certificates on being satisfied that they serve the public interest, before the stories are telecast,” a press statement from NBA said.

    Krishnan said, “We are all aware that events of the recent past have called sting operations to question on grounds of authenticity, but stray incidents do not warrant such interference, which is totally against the tenets of democracy, free speech and the freedom of the press.”

    The NBA feels that the suggestion that a telecast of news receive prior permission of the Government would constitute censorship of news and would, for that reason, constitute “content control” and thereby an unacceptable restraint on the right of free speech.

    “As much as stray incidents of irresponsible reporting cannot constitute a basis for imposing censorship upon the print media, such incidents of abuse of ethics cannot constitute a basis of imposing censorship upon the electronic media,” said the statement.

    The NBA is in the process of formulating a code of self-regulation for news and current affairs channels. Senior advocate and former Solicitor General of India Harish Salve is helping the NBA in finalising the self-regulation guidelines and grievance redressal mechanism.

    Krishnan said, “The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has been encouraging our endeavour towards self-regulation. We trust the government will view the present suggestion in the same supportive spirit and resist attempts and suggestions to interfere with the press.”

  • Network18, Jagran in JV to launch Hindi biz daily

    MUMBAI: Soon after acquiring ownership control in Infomedia and forging a strategic alliance with Forbes Media for magazine publishing, Network18 has entered into a 50:50 joint venture with Jagran Prakashan to step into the newspaper space.

    For starters, the JV will launch a Hindi business daily in 2008. Though there are several English business dailies, there is no such offering in the Hindi language.

    The JV also intends to launch other Indian language dailies focused on financial and economic news. Says Network18 MD Raghav Bahl, “In recent years, business audiences have grown immensely in the Hindi heartland and regional markets, reflecting a democratisation of enterprise and wealth creation across the nation. We are delighted to partner Jagran Prakashan as it will allow us to fulfill this need powerfully in the print space, by combining TV18’s strengths in business content with Jagran’s intimate understanding of print markets.”

    TV18 has a roster of brands across television, online and information terminal platforms in the business space while Jagran Prakashan Limited (JPL) publishes one of India’s largest news daily Dainik Jagran. The venture will also throw open opportunities to exploit across platforms.

    Says JPL CMD Mahendra Mohan Gupta, “Our experience in the language media space has revealed a growing interest in specialized business news and information, which this vehicle will enable us to cater.”

    The deal will help Network18 to access the distribution network of Jagran, a crucial piece in the print business.

    The JV will be governed by a board, comprising representatives from TV18 and Jagran Prakashan, which will oversee management plans and execution.

    The operational specifics in terms of brand name for the business daily and selection of the editorial and business team is in the process of being formalised, says an official release.

  • BBC appoints Val Gooding as non-executive director

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster BBC has appointed Val Gooding as an additional non-executive director to the executive board. Gooding joins the board on 1 January 2008.

    The appointment has been made by the BBC Executive Board with the approval of the BBC Trust. BBC DG Mark Thompson says, “I am delighted that someone of Val Gooding’s calibre has agreed to join us as a non-executive director. Her impressive track record both in general management in large organisations and in bringing customer focus to decision-making will complement the contribution made by the other non-executive directors.”

    Gooding said, “I am looking forward to making a contribution to BBC at this time of significant change and opportunity.”

    Gooding has been chief executive of UK health insurer Bura since 1998 and is also a non-executive board member of Standard Chartered and J Sainsbury.

  • INX News ropes in Sourav Ganguly as brand ambassador

    MUMBAI: INX News has roped in cricketer Sourav Ganguly as its brand ambassador. Besides, Ganguly will also present a show on NewsX and will be actively involved in the channel’s programming.

    INX News will be launching an English news channel NewsX in early 2008.

    Ganguly will work closely with NewsX sports team headed by sports journalist Pradeep Magazine. Says NewsX CEO Vir Sanghvi, “I have always been keen to have Sourav on board and am pleased that we’ve signed up for a long-term association. We are still some months away from launch and this is just the beginning.”

    Being an ambassador of INX News, Ganguly will eventually play a role in the entertainment programming for the general entertainment channel 9X.

    Says INX Media founder and CEO Indrani Mukerjea, “Sourav is one of the most loved stars from India’s collective passion -Cricket. We are proud that Sourav too has been keen to associate with the INX Network.”

  • GBN buys out New Vernon’s stake, ups holding in Jagran TV to 55%

    MUMBAI: Global Broadcast News (GBN) is buying out the 10.01 per cent stake of Mauritius-based New Vernon Private Equity Fund in Jagran TV for Rs 200 million.

    With this, GBN will hold around 55 per cent stake in Jagran TV which owns and operates Hindi language news channel IBN 7.

    Last year GBN had picked up 49 per cent in BK Fincap, the holding company of Jagran TV.

    “We will be holding around 55 per cent in Jagran TV. We have bought out the stake of New Vernon,” GBN joint managing director Sameer Manchanda tells Indiantelevision.com.

    Even as private equity fund New Vernon has exited from Jagran TV, the Gupta family who are founder-promoters, continue to hold stake in Jagran TV.

    GBN board has approved the acquisition of 13,47,231 equity shares, or 10.01 per cent, from New Vernon in Jagran TV, the company said on Monday.

    GBN plans to launch its Marathi news channel in the first quarter of 2008, says Manchanda. GBN has a 50:50 joint venture with Lokmat group for the Marathi news channel.

    “we are looking at other regional news channels but haven’t firmed up our plans yet,” adds Manchanda.

  • Kenya’s Yunasi is BBC’s Next Big Thing

    MUMBAI: Yunasi, a nine-piece band from Kenya, has topped a list of thousands of musicans from around the world to win BBC World Service’s The Next Big Thing 2007.

    The global music talent search received entries from over 88 countries and Yunasi was chosen as the winner by an all-star jury after playing live at the BBC’s famous Maida Vale studios in London.

    Yunasi, one of Africa’s leading Afro-fusion bands, won with ‘Ndi Ndi Ndi,’ which wowed both the judges and audience at the final.

    The Nairobi-based band flew to London for the final to play at BBC World Service’s 75th Anniversary Concert on Saturday (15 December) with some of the biggest names in music at London’s indigO2.

    ‘Ndi Ndi Ndi’ is about the dangers of drinking too much. It aims to appeal to both the young and old and is a manifestation of Kenyan Sesube music – a mixture of Sega, Isukuti and Benga styles.

    Yunasi’s vocalist said, “Winning the BBC’s Next Big Thing 2007 is a dream come true for us. After ten years of hard work, this will help us attain international recognition; we are on top of the world.”

    Music industry experts including Talvin Singh (singer/super producer Madonna and Jay-Z), Tahita Bulmer (New Young Pony Club), Nile Rodgers (Chic/producer David Bowie, Diana Ross, Halo 2) and William Orbit (producer Robbie Williams and Sugababes) were on the jury which judged the final.

    Orbit says, “I was blown away by the standard of all the artists. If I paid money to go and see any of them, I know I wouldn’t be disappointed. We were all exhilarated by the experience and impressed by the general unjadedness of the occasion, both in front of the cameras and behind them. Some shows are about humiliation but this was about real talent. There was also a spirit of unity between the bands that I felt was important.”

    The standard was so high that the runners-up place was split between Vrelo (Serbia) and Jeremie Johnson (United Arab Emirates).

    The other finalists included Hraun from Iceland and Maya McCallum Et La Toy Factory from France.

    The final five had been selected by a panel of music journalists and experts from a group of 20 acts, who were chosen from the entries submitted via the BBC’s website and a worldwide roadshows.

    The programme’s executive producer Simon Pitts said, “I’m just amazed at the number of entries and the standard – it gets higher every year. The music is so exciting and we just want to get these sounds heard by as many people as possible.”

    The Next Big Thing is part of a season of programmes from BBC World Service, Free To Speak, themed around freedom of media and information, to celebrate BBC World Service’s 75th Anniversary.

  • Delhi HC warns news channels on irresponsible stings

    NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court warned the news channels in being cautious and circumspect on airing sting operations, and suggested that the I&B Ministry should set up a committee to ferret stings before they are aired.

    The TV news channel Live India which had aired a fake sting operation on a woman school teacher, has been let off after warning and the court clearly admonished the TV news industry for blindly chasing TRPs (television rating point).

    Live India had shown a woman teacher, Uma Khurana, as being involved in a sex racket. This had come for widespread criticism after it transpired that the sting was a fake, and the court said this was an entrapment.

    The Bench comprising Chief Justice M K Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Khanna said that damage to the reputation of anyone for the interest of channels chasing TRPs must be avoided in the future, without of course going so far as to ban stings.

    The court, while suggesting guidelines, said that every reporter and news channel doing a sting operation should give an undertaking regarding its veracity.

    The court said the editor-in-chief and senior journalists of a TV channel must be more “mature” and “circumspect” while airing sting operations, which must not damage anyone’s reputation.

    “No doubt the media is well within its domain in resorting to investigative journalism to bring us face to face with the ugly underbelly of society,” the Bench said.

    “There is no doubt and there is no second opinion that truth is required to be shown to the public in their interest and the same can be shown whether in the nature of sting operation or otherwise, but we feel that entrapment of any person should not be resorted to and should not be permitted,” the Court said.

    The channel had shown the ‘sting’ on 30 August, which had led to rioting in Central Delhi’s crowded Chandni Chowk area and Khurana had been beaten up by an irate mob. But two days later, Hindustan Times exposed the channel; one reporter and an aspiring lady reporter had faked the ‘sting’.

    The High Court had then taken up the matter suo moto and on Friday, dismissed the case after admonishing the channel, and warning the TV news industry in general.

    Later, Delhi Police had after investigation said that Khurana had not been involved in any form of flesh trade or trafficking in women.

  • News Corp completes take over of Dow Jones

    MUMBAI: Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp has completed the $5 billion acquisition of Dow Jones, including its flagship Wall Street Journal.

    The takeover will give News Corp. control of a news brand. It opens up opportunities to use Dow Jones’ financial news to feed the Murdoch empire’s global businesses, including major growth markets like Asia.

    The News Corporation also bought ads to appear in newspapers around the world on Friday, including The New York Times, to trumpet the acquisition of Dow Jones. The version appearing in The Times covers three full pages, and begins with the words “Free people/Free markets/Free thinking” – a tweaking of the Journal editorial page’s guiding philosophy, “Free markets, free people.”

    For the first three quarters of 2007, Dow Jones revenue was up 1.8 per cent when adjusted for recent acquisitions to $1.53 billion. Operating income on that basis excluding special items was up 58.3 per cent at the same $104.6 million reported for all of 2006.

  • TV18 partners with Forbes to launch biz magazine in India

    MUMBAI: Television18, a group company of Network18, has entered into a partnership with Forbes Media to launch a business magazine in India.

    The partnership will include a content licensing arrangement and will also envisage introduction of other Forbes products, subject to regulatory approval.

    Plans are on to launch the magazine in early 2008. Network18 MD Raghav Bahl said, “Our partnership with Forbes for a business magazine in India is another compelling testimony to the growing acceptance of the Indian growth story worldwide. We will be strongly positioned to deliver a benchmark offering in the market by fusing the strong editorial and brand lineage of Forbes and our expertise in the Indian business media market.”

    Adds Forbes chairman, CEO and editor-in-chief Steve Forbes:”India is one of the prime markets Forbes has wanted to enter for sometime. We were waiting for the right partner and are so pleased that we have reached a partnership agreement with Network18. We look forward to making Forbes available to this forceful market soon.”

    TV18 on Tuesday announced acquisition of special interest and business categories publisher Infomedia India. 

    The partnership with Forbes will bring in strengths in the print space and will synergize with TV18’s television and new media properties. Currently, TV18 operates India’s leading business channels CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, besides Newswire18 and a host of web properties like moneycontrol.com.

    Network18 group CEO Haresh Chawla said, “Forbes is an ideal partner for us as we expand our competencies into the print medium and thus strengthen our position as one of India’s leading full play media conglomerates. India’s readership potential is yet to be fully tapped and as the market evolves, credible and strong brands will succeed in the print space. We see a lot of opportunity for value creation in this partnership by unleashing cross platform synergies and developing a roster of market leading offerings in the coming years. The addition of Forbes will further energize our business portfolio which already commands leadership through CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz, Newswire18 and web offerings such as moneycontrol.com, indiaearnings.com.”

    In recent years, Forbes magazine has increased its international presence with titles such as Forbes Asia and licensed local language editions such as Forbes China, Forbes Russia, Forbes Arabia amongst others.

  • CNN expands newsgathering operations in UAE

    MUMBAI: Continuing its growth and investment in international newsgathering, CNN Worldwide has begun expansion in its operations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This includes the appointment of a new international correspondent, a new bureau chief and the opening of an office with full broadcast and production capabilities in the capital city of Abu Dhabi.

    The expanded operation in the UAE combines broadcast production facilities in the new Abu Dhabi Media Zone, with increased newsgathering operations set up alongside an existing editorial team for the CNNArabic.com. In addition to the expansion into Abu Dhabi, CNN also retains its base in Dubai, which has an increased newsgathering role for CNN alongside the main CNNArabic.com operation.

    This expansion of operations in the UAE is instrumental in developing the network’s coverage of the Gulf region and beyond, and supports current CNN bureaus in Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo and Jerusalem.

    As part of that expansion, a Middle-East correspondent for ABC News, Wilf Dinnick, becomes an international correspondent for CNN. Samson Desta, who becomes bureau chief, formerly worked as a supervising editor on CNN’s International Desk.

    CNN International executive VP, MD Tony Maddox says, “This is a major step forward for CNN as we ramp up our newsgathering capabilities around the world. Besides, the UAE is the perfect location for an operation of this kind both editorially and logistically. This announcement comes quickly on the heels of the details that we recently released about additional resources in India, Korea and Japan. In the coming weeks, we will announce new editorial operations in Africa and parts of Europe.”

    These new appointments and extended resources are all part of CNN’s on-going and major investment programmes in both newsgathering and editorial resources to generate and own more content for all of its platforms.

    As bureau chief, Samson Desta will be the co-ordinator of coverage from both offices and will oversee the building of the infrastructure in key countries in the region, notably Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of Africa, as well as across the Middle East. Desta, who has been with CNN for more than 10 years, moves into this new role after serving as supervising editor on CNN’s International Desk, where he played a central role in co-ordinating coverage around the world for all of CNN’s networks and services. Major stories include international reaction to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the tsunami in South Asia and the death of Pope John Paul II.

    Joining CNN as the new UAE-based international correspondent, Wilf Dinnick comes from ABC News, where he served as a Middle-East correspondent. Prior to that, he worked for Canada’s Global National, CBC and CTV.

    Dinnick has covered Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, the South Asia tsunami, Haiti, the Ukraine and many other top stories in recent years. He will support CNN’s editorial needs across the region, which includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of Africa and the Middle East.