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Tag: Ashutosh

  • Ashutosh formally joins AAP

    Ashutosh formally joins AAP

    MUMBAI: When IBN7’s former managing editor and one of India’s most well known faces of Indian journalism, Ashutosh resigned a few days ago, speculations about him joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were rife.

     

    After dillydallying a bit with the fellow media people for some time, the veteran journalist confirmed it in the morning with a tweet that he will be formally joining AAP today at 3 pm. The tweet has also been retweeted by AAP’s official handle. “Good morning. Need your blessings. Today I am formally joining AAP at 3 PM,” says the tweet.

     

    A formal announcement is probably going to come from Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh who are addressing a press conference around the same time in the capital.

     

    A string of tweets from Ashutosh Ashtosh shows his inclination towards the new step that he has taken to serve the nation.

     

    Here’s what he has tweeted:

     

    Tweet 1: ‘There will be enough time to make careers but such times come rarely in history when one gets an opportunity to help make a better nation.’

     

    Tweet 2: ‘I did not like politics, the politics of big cars, of five star hotels, of money and muscle power. Common man had no role in that politics.’

     

    Tweet 3: ‘Today politics is changing. This is the time to empower and support that energy which is agent of change and which will cleanse the system.’

  • Is Ashutosh going to pursue politics?

    Is Ashutosh going to pursue politics?

    MUMBAI: Indian journalism has had few very popular names to boast of when it comes to journalists. One such name is Ashutosh. He just didn’t contribute to the growth of Hindi channels of two of the biggest networks in the country when they were launched, he also became their face during the time he was working for them.  The first one was Aaj Tak from the TV Today group which was launched in 2000, and the second was IBN7, a joint venture between Global Broadcast News and Jagran TV in 2006.

     

    In 2006, when Ashutosh left the position as deputy executive producer at Aaj Tak to join IBN7 as managing editor, he created a commotion. Once again, he repeated history today when the news of his resignation broke out. The journalist decided to end his eight year relationship with IBN7 as well without notifying anybody about his future plans.

     

    While there’s a possibility that he could join/open another news channel, rumours are afloat that he is all set to end his more than two decade long journalistic career and join the much talked about newbie political party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

     

    And as the rumours are reaching far and wide, one wonders if it is possible for someone who was so committed to his work for such a long time can finally change course at the age of 49 and serve the country is another way! When quizzed about his next course of action he says, “I am open to all options.”

     

    When probed further and quizzed if he is actually taking the political route, Ashutosh chose to give an ambiguous response that too twice, “Let’s see.”

     

    While we were still wondering what to make out of his response, a tweet from Ashutosh gave us a slight glimpse of what is going on in his mind. He wrote, “Eight years back I changed my course, now there is another time, another call of destiny, have to swim- have to swim.”

     

    So, is there a change of course for the journalist who started his broadcasting career in 1996 as a correspondent with Aaj Tak, which at that time was just a 20 minute news bulletin on the pubcaster – Doordarshan Metro. Aaj Tak was just a year old then. When the channel was launched in 2000, Ashutosh became a known face in many Hindi-speaking households with his primetime anchoring.

     

    In a 2008 interview with indiantelevision.com, reminiscing about his initial days in the field, he had said, “In early 1996 I was working as a correspondent with Aaj Tak I was getting ready to give my PTC for a story on a lonely bumpy road in Ganderbal when suddenly a 10 year old boy appeared from nowhere and shouted…Ashutosh, Delhi, Aaj Tak. I was stunned. I could not comprehend that in a place so removed from civilisation, someone could recognise me. That was the power of TV. Those words still ring in my ears and I cannot forget that small boy’s face.”

     

    Wonder if he would be able to leave the profession that he so fondly rejoiced once, or is it “country calling” for him!

  • Ashutosh moves on from IBN-7, Vinay Tewari takes charge as Managing Editor

    Ashutosh moves on from IBN-7, Vinay Tewari takes charge as Managing Editor

    NEW DELHI: Ashutosh has decided to move on from his role as Managing Editor of IBN7, the Network18 Group’s National Hindi News Service. He is passing on the mantle to Vinay Tewari, Managing Editor, CNN-IBN who will now also lead IBN7 editorial operations in the same capacity. In this expanded role, Tewari will also drive network synergies at CNN-IBN and IBN7.

     

    Speaking on this development, B.Sai Kumar, Group CEO, Network18 said “Ashutosh has played a key role in IBN7’s emergence as one of the most credible brands in Hindi news. We thank him for his immense contribution and commitment to the Network. Vinay has led CNN-IBN admirably and in this expanded mandate, we’re confident that he will not only take IBN7 to new heights editorially but also strengthen our general news network further”

     

    Commenting on this, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-In-Chief, IBN News Network added “Ashu has been a driving force behind IBN7 and his passion and leadership has been instrumental in making it into a fearless and independent voice in Hindi journalism. We thank him for his stellar effort and wish him the very best. Vinay has been an integral part of the general news network from the very beginning and I’m confident that he will bring his unique perspective and rich news experience to bear at IBN7 and the network ”

     

    Ashutosh added “Building IBN7 into what it is today has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my professional journey. I would like to thank all my colleagues for their support and look forward to newer challenges”

     

    Vinay Tewari commented “IBN7 today stands for the best in hard-hitting and inclusive journalism and it’s a privilege for me to lead it further. I look forward to working closely with the talented and passionate team to ensure we honor the trust of our viewers in IBN7 and ensure that both CNN-IBN and IBN7 benefit and capitalize from the general news network in equal measure”

     

    Tewari has over two decades of experience in journalism across reportage, desk, news production and special events coverage. Prior to Network18, he has had stints with the TV Today Network, Times of India and The Pioneer. 

  • Battle for the States

    Battle for the States

    MUMBAI: As the 5 states of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Mizoram go to elections in November-December, CNN-IBN & IBN7, in partnership with THE WEEK, bring to you the most incisive and definitive pre-election survey in these states, conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS).

    Amidst the tough multi-party competition and hectic campaigning in these states, the survey will give the viewers a head start on the likely outcome of the Assembly elections; delving into seat projections, sensing the mood of the voters in key constituencies and discussing the biggest factors and issues that are going to impact the results.

    With a formidable team of journalists, joined by the best political experts in the country, the survey aims to give its viewers the sharpest and most precise analysis of the elections.
    Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat, said, “The pre-poll study is an attempt to sense the mood of the voters and determine how this will impact the overall constitution of the respective State Assemblies. Once again, we are pleased to partner with THE WEEK in this endeavour.”

    Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN7 said, “In the run-up to the State Assembly elections, this pre-poll study is an initiative to reach out to voters, understand their issues and how their decision will impact the electoral outcomes in these 5 key poll-bound states.”

    Philip Mathew, Managing Editor, THE WEEK, said, “We are glad to partner with CNN-IBN & IBN7 in conducting this pre-poll survey. As usual, it is our endeavour to give our readers the most thorough insights into the current political and social scenarios in the poll-bound states.”
    To know the findings of this study, tune into ‘Election Tracker’ on CNN-IBN and ‘Mera Vote Meri Sarkar – Agar Abhi Chunav Hon Toh’ on IBN7, from Mon, Oct 28 to Thu, Oct 31 at 8pm.

    You can also read the detailed results and analysis of the survey in the issue of THE WEEK, hitting stands on Nov 1, 2013.

  • IBN7 Wins at Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards

    IBN7 Wins at Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards

    New Delhi, July 24, 2013: IBN7, India ’s Channel of Impact, has once again won an award at the sixth Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards. At a grand ceremony held in the capital on Tuesday, IBN7 journalist Smita Sharma received the award in the Reporting on Politics and Government category.

    She was recognised for her reportage on the Kashmir valley uprising in 2010 and the political dialogue process that followed. Her show Ground Zero Mission Kashmir captured the reasons behind the youth anger and discussed the challenges that lay ahead for the state and central governments to bring about peace and reconciliation in the state.

    Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards are one of India ’s biggest and most prestigious awards. These awards recognise print and broadcast journalists, who do stories that create a far-reaching impact. Started in 2006 to honour the late Ramnath Goenka, freedom fighter and founder of The Indian Express Group, these awards acknowledge accuracy, courage, credibility and fairness in journalism, and honour the best and the brightest in Indian media every year.

    Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN7 said, “It gives us great pride to have become a recipient of a Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Smita Sharma for her undying efforts and encourage all our reporters to continue their excellent work and to strive for the best.”

  • IBN7 dons a new look from today

    IBN7 dons a new look from today

    MUMBAI: IBN7, the Hindi news channel of Network18 is now ‘Bebaq. Bekhauf‘. The channels‘ new slogan which went on air today, replaces its previous slogan ‘Khabar har keemat par‘, which had defined the channel for nearly seven years. The channel has also perked up its logo and altered its colour as well as the font. The changes have been made to keep pace with the changing times.

    IBN7 CEO Dilip Venkatraman said, “The channel has been fearless in its reporting. The new slogan has a sharper focus which is clear in stating what it wants to offer to its viewers. The logo has been designed keeping in mind different screens with the rise of convergence of media. The new font, which has been designed especially for IBN7 will be used across the channel and is also designed to appear outstanding on the digital platform.”

    Speaking to www.indiantelevision.com CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “The rebranding of IBN7 is to re-emphasise its core values as a Hindi news channel committed to fearless and independent journalism and qualities which have given IBN 7 a distinctive appeal in the Hindi news universe. Our aim is to keep the look direct and classy.”

    The campaign titled ‘Nidar. Atal. Prachanda. Satya.‘ is only being done for IBN7 and not for the remaining channels of Network18. IBN7 Managing Editor Ashutosh said, “The revamped look of the channel celebrates many glorious years of bringing the untold truth to our viewers. The move is aimed to reiterate the channel‘s vision and philosophy and convey its message in a firm manner.”

    “The defining value of IBN7 which projects fearlessness, boldness and an unbiased approach will now reflect in the channel‘s everyday reporting. India‘s Channel of Impact, with its refined positioning, will continue to stand out from the rest,” reiterated to Network18 Media CEO Sanjay Dua.

  • Prime time content on news channels needs to evolve

    Prime time content on news channels needs to evolve

    NEW DELHI: What would one expect when editorial heads from some of the premiere News Television channels in the country participate in a panel discussion? Riveting stuff is what comes to mind.

     

    And that’s what unfolded when Barkha Dutt, Karan Thapar, Vivek Law, Rahul Kanwal, Sanjeev Srivastava, Deepak Chaurasia, Ashutosh, all joined in to discuss the issue of, “Differentiating Prime Time News TV Shows/ Content” at the 6th Indian News Television Summit 2013.

     

    Session moderator BBC Global News COO India Preet Dhupar kick-started the session with a question to the panellists on prime time content and its impact on the ultimate stakeholders.
        

    CNN-IBN’s Karan Thapar said, “Content during prime time is in a confused mess. It is all about multiplicity of screeching heads. Anchors instigate people to quarrel on their shows and the ultimate product is unsatisfactory. When news is governed by ratings, it becomes an issue. What is really needed is a structure based discussion; focus on current affairs based debate and bifurcation between news and entertainment.”

     

    Doordarshan’s Sanjeev Srivastava while agreeing with Thapar, added that prime time content has become similar to edit pages of newspapers wherein the thoughts of the editor or the anchor are often reflected. But he also called for a ‘balance between forming opinions and proper dissemination of news.’

     

    Also agreeing with Thapar, Bloomberg TV India Editor Vivek Law said that the concept of talking heads of channels was not new and it was possible that organisations were revolving business model around it.

     

    NDTV Group Editor Barkha Dutt struck a cynical note by saying, “TV channels are stuck in a sluggish cycle. There is nothing interesting happening as channels have failed to tap appealing people who can talk sense. I don’t share too much optimism about prime time space.”

     

    Headlines Today Managing Editor Rahul Kanwal, had a diverse opinion. “Well, I am very proud of what I do and I must state that TV channels have played a stellar role in making politicians accountable and voicing the fact that no one is untouchable.”

     

    He also talked about the audiences’ demand for masala (adding juiciness) to news packaging.

     

    The debate between Hindi and English News channels was sparked by IBN 7 Managing Editor Ashutosh who said that English channels were elitist in their approach and embarked on intellectualism whereas Hindi channels had larger and “many layered” audiences to cater to.

     

    India News Editor-in-Chief Deepak Chaurasia observed, “News channels must understand that people have changed over the years. The environment and approach have also changed. One has to understand this to realise the confused state of affairs during the prime time slot.”

     

    Chaurasia also stressed on the fact that renowned faces were reluctant to come for interviews and discussions on Hindi channels as compared to English ones. Disagreeing with Chaurasia, Kanwal said that he had interviewed many politicians on his Hindi show.

     

    Other subjects that were touched upon in brief were budgetary cuts that production teams faced, the need for more reportage by anchors, whose reputations drew eyeballs to the show.

     

    All the panellists agreed that prime time content should focus more on news which would educate the masses.

  • IBN7 correspondent released after media protests in UP

    IBN7 correspondent released after media protests in UP

    NEW DELHI: The media fraternity has strongly protested the arrest of Shalabh Mani Tripathi, the Lucknow bureau chief of IBN7 news channel, as an attempt to gag the media for the recent coverage of rising crime graph in the state.

    As the news of Tripathi‘s detention spread, a large number of media fraternity gathered outside the police station in Lucknow. He was released later after fellow scribes hit the streets.
            
    Protesting the incident, journalists from across media organisations staged a demonstration near chief minister’s residence, after which the secretary to the chief minister told the reporters that the process of suspension of the police officers has been initiated.

    Two senior journalists of IBN7 were also targeted and roughed up by senior police officers from the Lucknow administration on Sunday night when IBN7 refused to compromise and succumb under government pressure and bow down to their unreasonable demands in relation to this story.

    Shalabh has been tracking deputy chief medical officer Dr Y.S. Sachan‘s death. In fact, Shalabh is the person who first broke Dr Sachan’s death story in Lucknow Jail and exposed the UP Government as to how they were trying to hush up the case by showing it to be a suicide and not murder, thus highlighting the loopholes in the probe and the versions given by the government.

    The government was eventually forced to retract their earlier version and has now registered his death as a case of murder under pressure not just from the family but even from the medico legal fraternity within the Uttar Pradesh government and beyond.

    IBN7 was also switched off/blacked out in entire UP on several occasions during last few weeks when the channel refused to compromise and succumb to the State administration’s pressures.

    IBN Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “IBN7 is committed to uncover the truth and we will continue to highlight the facts despite these pressure tactics. We will not get fazed by these attempts to curb the freedom of press, in fact this makes our resolve stronger to stand for the truth”.

    Speaking about the unfortunate development, IBN7 managing editor Ashutosh said, “This is the second time that an attempt to curtail the freedom of press is made by unruly elements who want to prevent us from bringing the facts; nothing can stop our committed journalists from unveiling the truth.”

  • John Abraham, Bhaichung in special programming on FIFA on IBN

    John Abraham, Bhaichung in special programming on FIFA on IBN

    NEW DELHI: The 19th FIFA World Cup will see special exclusive pre-tournament programming on CNN-IBN and IBN7 to capture the excitement leading up to the greatest sporting extravaganza.

    The varied programming includes The Beautiful Game on CNN-IBN which starts on 31 May and GOAL on IBN7 from 1 June. This special series will provide a 360 degree perspective of the key events leading up to the tournament by football expert and the country’s foremost football journalist Novy Kapadia. The programming will also feature an interview with celebrated footballer Bhaichung Bhutia and Bollywood star and football enthusiast John Abraham.

    The pre-tournament programming with Novy Kapadia will include a series of half hour specials on CNN-IBN and IBN7 which will have a detailed analysis of the strengths and weakness of different teams, their preparedness for as well as their chances at the World Cup. The show will also take a close look at players to watch out for and team rivalries. The programming on CNN-IBN will be telecast on weekdays from 31 May till 10 June at 10.30 pm and on IBN7 on weekdays from 1 June till 10 June at 6.30 pm.

    Additionally CNN-IBN’s award winning sports anchor Meha Bhardwaj in a special show will be seen in conversation with Captain of the Indian football team, Bhaichung Bhutia and actor and football aficionado John Abraham to be telecast on June 5 at 7.30 pm on CNN-IBN. This special will focus on players & teams to look out for at the world cup and the future of Indian football.

    Talking about the pre-tournament programming line-up for the FIFA World Cup 2010, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-In-Chief, IBN18 Network said, “Football has a massive fan following in India and we want our viewers to get the best of the game’s biggest event. We are happy to have on board Novy Kapadia, country’s foremost football journalist, as part of our special pre-tournament programming line-up. The depth of experience which Novy Kapadia brings with him will provide viewers with rare insights into both the game as well as the world’s greatest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup 2010.”

    Ashutosh, Managing Editor, IBN7, said, “The extensive pre-event programming will cover all the key aspects that football fans would like to learn about before the actual tournament. From player profiles to the venues and team rivalries, we will provide our viewers with all the information and the behind the scenes action they desire before the FIFA World Cup 2010.”

  • Rajeev Masand to host movie review show on IBN7

    Rajeev Masand to host movie review show on IBN7

    MUMBAI: After making his weekly show Masand’s Verdict popular on the English news channel CNN IBN, film critic and entertainment editor Rajeev Masand will now also host a show on IBN7, the Hindi news channel of the network.

    Christened Rajeev Masand Ki Pasand, the show will be a weekly, in which Masand will review the latest releases from Bollywood and Hollywood and will also catch up with Bollywood stars.

    Beginning 1 May, the show will air every Saturday at 1:30 pm and 10.30 pm with a repeat on Sun at 10.30 am.

    In the two-segment show, Masand will review and rate the latest releases on a scale of 1-5. This segment will also feature viewer’s reviews. The second segment is ‘Star Talk’ wherein Masand will be in a tête-à-tête with the Bollywood stars. Also, the segment will feature a special quiz for the viewers related to Bollywood trivia.

    IBN7 managing editor Ashutosh said, “This new film centric show will tell the viewers exactly what to expect before they go and watch a film in the theatres. Masand is one of the foremost film critics in the country and his valuable inputs will add to the movie experience of the viewers.”