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Tag: CNN

  • CNN to air summit with former US president Clinton

    CNN to air summit with former US president Clinton

    MUMBAI: History shows that the world is plagued with the casualties of religious and ethnic conflicts. With recent struggles in Lebanon and Israel and daily clashes in Iraq, the Middle East is a hotbed of religious and ethnic conflict. CNN will air the hour long documentary In God’s Name: A Global Summit With President Clinton on 23 September at 5:30 pm and on 24 September at 3:30 pm.

    . This asks whether religion is the solution or the problem. The special is moderated by CNN’s chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour and features former U.S. President Bill Clinton in the third and final CNN special program. Joining them is an expert panel including Israeli Vice Premier, Shimon Peres; U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Dina Powell; Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan; Former United Nations Special Envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi; Former U.S. Senator and Northern Ireland peace negotiator, George Mitchell and editor-at-large of Beirut-based Daily Star newspaper, Rami Khouri.

    CNN International senior VP Rena Golden says, “Once again this edition of the Clinton Global Summit is tackling an issue that affects our audiences worldwide,” said . “By bringing together these distinguished experts, we hope to find some common understanding into what fuels so many of the world’s religious conflicts.”

    During his tenure as US President, Clinton was deeply involved in bringing peace to the Middle East, Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland. The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) has chosen mitigating religious and ethnic conflict as one its four major goals.

    CGI is a non-partisan catalyst for action, bringing together a community of global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Each September, CGI convenes a meeting for global leaders including heads of state, non-profit organizations and business leaders to discuss challenges facing the world today.

    President Clinton’s vision in bringing together this group is to merge ideas from both the public and private sectors to devise a plan to identify and implement solutions. Over US$2.5 billion was committed toward concrete solutions for global problems at CGI’s conference last year. The forum takes place September 20-22 this year.

  • News broadcasters to form association

    News broadcasters to form association

    NEW DELHI: After the Indian Broadcast Federation (IBF – representing broadcasters) and the Indian Media Group (IMG – representing Indian media companies), Indian news broadcasters are forming their own “pressure group”.

    The proposed body is likely to be called the News Broadcasters Association of India. It will comprise only Indian-promoted news ventures. The likes of BBC and CNN have their own set of problems and issues and, hence, would not be part of this new proposed body that is likely to be registered soon.

    The agenda that the body has broadly laid out is to address specific news-related issues and take them up with the government. Everybody remains a member of the IBF, but as the IBF cannot take up specific issues, TV news networks have formed their own association.

    The first meeting of the grouping was held last week in Delhi in TV Today office. No office-bearers have been elected as yet though.

    Admitted a news broadcaster, “We felt our specific needs and issues need to be addressed without confusing them with general (broadcasting) matters. That’s what the intention is behind setting up the News Broadcasters Association of India.”

    An example of the kind of issues that news broadcasters might take up include the draft of the Broadcast Bill, recently prepared by a sub-panel of a 30-member committee overseen by I&B secretary SK Arora, which hints at stringent content regulation, particularly for news channels. If okayed by lawmakers in its present state, it could well be the end of sting operations and coverage of issues where high profile politicians and personalities are involved.

    Sample this part: “TV channels must not use material relating to a person’s personal or private affairs or which invades an individual’s privacy unless there is an identifiable public interest reason for the material to be broadcast.” Who decides what constitutes an individual’s privacy? The government or the regulator? What this means of course is that it’s all up for interpretation.

    It is this scope for interpretation that has news broadcasters seriously concerned. More so since the onus of proving identifiable public interest lies with the TV channel and not the other way round.

    The interests of the print media are addressed and protected by the Indian Newspaper Association. That is the role the News Broadcasters Association of India hopes to fulfil as far as the electronic media is concerned.

  • CNN embarks on a Quest for Art

    CNN embarks on a Quest for Art

    MUMBAI: CNN anchor Richard Quest who hosts the show Quest picks up his brush and canvas in October to get under the skin of the art world. The show airs on 28 October at 1130 am, 7:30 pm. On the trail of the big name stars in art, Quest catches up with British artist, David Hockney at the opening of his portrait retrospective at the National Portrait Gallery in London. What does it take to crack the big time? Is mere talent enough? Hockney discusses the path of his career and guides Quest through the treacherous waters of artists, critics, curators, galleries and auction houses. So, is the CNN budding artist up to the challenge?

    Quest takes a stab at making a modern masterpiece under the watchful eye of well-liked art icon Rolf Harris. Harris has been a fixture of the popular art scene for decades, introducing generations of children to art in his role as a TV cartoonist, and who recently was chosen to paint a portrait of HM The Queen for her 80th birthday celebrations. With his catchphrase “Do you know what it is yet?” Harris shows Quest how to turn his photo into an impressionist masterpiece.

    If it’s that simple to paint, is it actually worth anything? Next stop on this QUEST for art is a trip to world famous auction house Sotheby’s for a fascinating look behind the scenes at a major auction. The lucky gavel, the pre-auction rituals; the whole business of ‘Art’ is probed.

    To widen Quest’s appreciation of art, he meets up with two of the best guides in the business, to help him discover his inner aficionado. Evening Standard art critic Brian Sewell takes him on a tour of Britain’s National Gallery, exercising his expert tutelage in bringing Caravaggio and Van Dyke paintings to life. Also, in her long awaited return to the small screen, art expert, hermit and consecrated virgin, Sister Wendy Beckett enthuses Quest in her passion for the creative force behind the canvas.

    Sooner of later, Quest must approach the ‘Art Establishment’. With a reputation for being inaccessible and exclusive, art fixtures like the Turner Prize polarise the public, and with this in mind, Quest seeks to bust a few myths. From this year’s Turner Prize candidates to the Tate Modern contemporary art collection, art does not get much more contemporary than this. It’s up to Tate Modern curator Vicente Todoli to win Quest round over the merits of the modern movement.

    One group unlikely to be convinced is the next stop on the QUEST odyssey – the Stuckists. Implacably opposed to anything “establishment”, with the Turner Prize top of their hit list, their argument is heartfelt. Who will have the deciding point of view?

    Famed sculptor Grayson Perry, himself a Turner Prize winner in 2003, chats to Quest and provides some middle ground. The self-styled ‘Transvestite potter from Essex’ proves an engaging and authoritative guide through the maelstrom of modern art.

    Last stop on the Quest for art is a corner of rural England, to meet a man who arguably understands our relationship with art better than anyone. Former forger John Myatt has copied the biggest and best names in the art world. Having been to prison, he has now rehabilitated himself and runs a highly successful business creating ‘Genuine Fakes’!

  • CNN in mobile initiative in Hong Kong

    CNN in mobile initiative in Hong Kong

    MUMBAI: CNN International has been made available for the first time as a live stream 24 hours a day to Hong Kong mobile phone users. Tapping strategic partner PCCW’s new service “now on mobile”, subscribers can access CNN’s breaking news as it happens directly on their phones or other handheld devices.

    Turner International Asia Pacific VP wireless development Ringo Chan says, “This exciting extension of our partnership with PCCW represents the latest Turner initiative to roll out innovative wireless services in Asia Pacific. We continue to pioneer interactive products across the region and this launch further cements Turner Broadcasting’s corporate alliance with PCCW, one that now encompasses mobile and IPTV services”.

    In addition to the live CNN stream, four hours of Cartoon Network’s original programming block will be looped to provide service 24 hours a day via “now on mobile” to PCCW mobile subscribers. CNN International’s live stream made an inaugural launch in Asia in July through a deal with Korea’s largest telecommunication company SK Telecom, while other Asian markets are to be targeted in the coming months.

    CNN Mobile is CNN International’s service for mobile devices. Launched in 1999, it was the first mobile telephone news and information service available globally with targeted regional content. The service delivers CNN news content to mobile phones in a wide of formats.

  • Rising from the Ruins: South Asian Quake revisited on CNN

    Rising from the Ruins: South Asian Quake revisited on CNN

    Airtimes: Indian Standard Times
    Saturday, Feb 18 at 1800hrs, 2200hrs
    Sunday, Feb 19 at 0700hrs, 1400hrs and 2000hrs

     

    Chronicling the story of a tragedy that left more than 83,000 people dead and millions homeless, CNN correspondent Stan Grant revisits Pakistan and the families devastated by the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that rocked the region on October 8, 2005. The special half hour program, “Rising from the Ruins”, follows the physical and emotional progress of those affected by the South Asia quake.

     

    Millions are rebuilding their lives, with the coming of spring a chance to start anew. The Anwars are one such family and “Rising from the Ruins” follows them as they trek 45 km back up the mountain to their destroyed village of Bagh. Stan Grant witnesses how they are rebuilding their home from the ground up, while also laying their son and devastating reminders of the disaster to rest.

     

    If faces could tell a story, then Zareena Bibi’s is a tragedy. Only 30, but old before her time, the mother of three is coping with the post-quake trauma as well as the death of a son. In a tearful interview, Bibi reveals her fears for the future as she faces problems providing even basic necessities for her family, particularly as her husband is unable to find employment. Once the relief agencies move on, “Rising from the Ruins” asks what the future will hold for her family and thousands like them.

     

    AIRTIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

  • CNN adds two categories to CNN Young Journalist Award

    CNN adds two categories to CNN Young Journalist Award

    MUMBAI: News channel CNN has launched the fourth edition of the CNN Young Journalist Award (CNN YJA) in association with ITC-Welcomgroup. This year, two new categories have been added in addition to the existing CNN YJA categories – CNN Aspiring Journalist Award in collaboration with Hindustan Times and the CNN Citizen Journalist Award in partnership with CNN-IBN. Launched in 2003, the CNN Young Journalist Award offers a platform for furthering journalistic brilliance among young journalists across India and Pakistan.

    CNN’s senior Intl correspondent Satinder Bindra said, “As a journalist myself, I am delighted to be associated with CNN YJA for the last three years. The award aims at instilling the values and ethics associated with journalism among the young journalists of India & Pakistan. This year, we have introduced CNN Aspiring Journalist Award and the CNN Citizen Journalist Award. With the addition of these new categories, CNN has reinforced its commitment to recognize and honour individuals involved in the process of newsgathering.”

    The CNN Young Journalist Award is targetted at young journalists in India and Pakistan within the age group of 22 – 28 years, in the print/online and television categories. While CNN Aspiring Journalist Award is targeted at Indian students of journalism who have just appeared (awaiting results) or are appearing for the final examinations, CNN Citizen Journalist Award is open to citizens of India, [who are not professional journalists] and encourages them to play an active role in the process of collecting and disseminating news and information on issues that have an impact on society.

    CNN–IBN editor in chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “We are glad to support CNN in their endeavour to encourage journalism across the country through the CNN Citizen Journalist Award. News can happen anywhere, any time and at many times in an area where we may not have immediate access, it is the viewer who can provide us with an accurate picture of the actual situation. The initiative, ‘Citizen Journalism’ from CNN-IBN and IBN 7, offers a platform to involve the viewers and make him/her an active participant in the process of newsgathering, making television news truly interactive. Through this initiative, we are trying to emphasize the importance of the role a citizen plays in the newsgathering process, thereby influencing society at large.”

    Entrants to the CNN Young Journalist Award, Television category must submit a feature style television news package that has been produced and aired between 1 January, 2006 and 30 September, 2006. Submission must relate to a General news story relevant to any part of India or Pakistan. For the print/online category, entries must include three copies of the original article or photocopy of the news article, written solely by the entrant and published in an Indian/ Pakistani publication or on an Indian/ Pakistani website between the period 1 January, 2006 and 30 September, 2006. The last date for receiving entries is 12 October, 2006 for entries from India and 7 October, 2006 for entries from Pakistan.

    Entrants to the CNN Aspiring Journalist Award have to submit an essay in 1000 words on the topic, ‘Are sting operations justified?’ The entrants can either be nominated by the Principal/Head of Department or students can also independently apply through their own initiative but the entry has to be validated by the principal or head of the department along with an official seal of the school/ college/institute/university. In the entry form, the entrant shall indicate the category for which he/she wishes to be considered. The short-listed participants in each category will be invited to New Delhi to participate in an on-the-spot contest. The closing date for the receipt of entries is October 12, 2006.

    The winners of the CNN Young Journalist Award in the Television and Print/Online Category will each be awarded the title of ‘CNN Young Journalist of the Year’; will spend a week at CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta. Furthermore, they will meet with CNN International’s editors and anchors, and experience first-hand the workings of CNN’s editorial and programming teams. The runner up in the Television and Print/Online Category will be given the opportunity to visit and assist the CNN news bureau in New Delhi for a week.

    The winners of ‘CNN Aspiring Journalist Award’ will each be awarded a trophy and a citation. The winner in the Television category will also earn an opportunity for an internship with the CNN-IBN bureau either in New Delhi or Mumbai for a month, and the winner in the Print category will earn an internship with the Hindustan Times bureau in New Delhi or Mumbai for the same period.

    The best and valid entry in the CNN Citizen Journalist Award will be awarded the title ‘CNN Citizen Journalist of the Year’ along with a trophy, a citation and a Digital Camera.

    Entry forms can be obtained either by writing to Turner International India Pvt. Ltd, S-2 Level, Block-F, International Trade Tower, Nehru Place, New Delhi-110019 or by logging on to the CNN YJA website: http://www.cnnasiapacific.com/yja. All entry forms must be accompanied by proof of age and experience.

    The past editions have been backed by a well-rounded multi-media communication campaign in print and online. This year, the CNN Young Journalist Award will be supported through on–air promos on CNN–IBN, e-mailers, print ads and below-the-line activities. The CNN Aspiring Journalist Award category aims to reach students across the country through an exhaustive student contact program. The CNN Citizen Journalist Award too will leave no stone unturned to involve its patron viewers.

  • CNN reveals Happiness And Your Health: The Suprising Connection

    CNN reveals Happiness And Your Health: The Suprising Connection

    MUMBAI: In HAPPINESS AND YOUR HEALTH: THE SURPRISING CONNECTION, CNN senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta joins the eternal search for happiness. Talking with doctors, philosophers, teachers, business leaders and comedians, Dr. Gupta asks where happiness comes from, how to get it and whether people need it.

    Joined by guests including US comedian Richard Lewis (‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’) and motivational speaker Tony Robbins, Dr. Gupta reveals the surprising secrets of happy people, the ways in which happiness affects health and the intriguing results of an exclusive CNN poll.

    Fascinating aspects, issues and questions surrounding ‘happiness’ in the special include:

    ‘Born Happy’ – happiness experts say personality has deep roots in genetics. The programme features identical twins who despite growing up without knowing of each other’s existence for 25 years, noticed more than a few similarities when they first met.

     

    ‘Power of Laughter’ – “Laughing is halfway to healing” is the motto of laughter yoga. This movement, created by a Mumbai doctor, today claims more than 3,000 clubs in 40 countries. Dr. Gupta laughs along with a club in California, finding intricate links between happiness and health.

     

    ‘Unnatural Highs’ – psychiatrist Julie Holland and Nora Volkow, head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse in the US, explain the effects that drugs – legal and illegal – have on the brain and compare these effects to natural highs.

     

    ‘How to be Happy’ – viewers will hear surprising research into what really makes people happy, as well as a life lesson from someone who found himself paralysed in a car accident at the age of 29, and who subsequently suffered the deaths of his second wife, sister and parents, yet emerged from those struggles happier and wiser than ever.

     

    Dr. Gupta said, “There is more than one route to happiness and well-being. This special will take viewers on a journey and hopefully help them live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.”

    Airtimes: Indian Standard Times

    Sat, December 9 at 1230hrs and 2030hrs
    Sun, December 10 at 1230hrs

    Airtimes are subject to change.

  • CNN, Cartoon Network US content available on iTunes

    CNN, Cartoon Network US content available on iTunes

    MUMBAI: The US media firm Turner Broadcasting System has announced that content from CNN, Adult Swim and Cartoon Network is now available for purchase and download on the iTunes Music Store.

    The new content includes Cartoon Network’s Johnny Bravo, Adult Swim’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force and episodes of the CNN’s documentary series CNN Presents. These are all available for viewing on a computer or iPod.

    For the last three months, Adult Swim has been offering free video podcasts via iTunes, ranking among the most popular television podcasts on the service. In addition to this new effort, CNN has been offering original podcasts, as well as Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer and Reliable Sources to iTunes users for free for just over a month.

    TBS executive VP, business development Dennis Quinn says, “Fans will enjoy this innovative way of purchasing and watching their favorite CNN, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim shows from iTunes. We are delivering a variety of hit programming from three of our wildly popular networks, with shows for everyone of all ages.”

    Apple VP iTunes Eddy Cue says, “With Turner’s wide range of content available on iTunes, users now can download programming from CNN, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. With well over 150 TV shows available for $1.99 per episode, iTunes is the leading destination for downloading network and cable programming.”

  • Critically acclaimed British rockers Franz Ferdinand on CNN’s ‘Talk Asia’

    Critically acclaimed British rockers Franz Ferdinand on CNN’s ‘Talk Asia’

    Indian Standard Times
    Saturday, March 4 at 0930am, 2000hrs and 2230hrs
    Sunday, March 5 at 0600am, 1700hrs and 2030hrs
    Monday, March 6 at 0900am

    Franz Ferdinand’s lead singer Alex Kapranos and bass guitarist Bob Hardy join TALK ASIA’s Lorraine Hahn this weekend. The four-piece-band first got together in 2002 and have since produced two critically acclaimed albums, enjoyed chart success on several continents and won a number of prestigious awards including the Mercury Music Prize and MTV Video Award in 2004 and Best British Group at The BRITs in 2005.

     

    The group hopes that their unique name, taken from the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand whose assassination precipitated the First World War, will inspire musicians to be a catalyst for change. A combination of art, communication and social responsibilities lies at the heart of their music: “the best music does make a difference to your life as well. And it’s often in a personal way, and it’s often more of a social thing than a political thing.” Being both performers and fans, Franz Ferdinand also appreciate the artistic qualities of other British bands. To them, the term “competition” is rather “an old-fashion attitude”.

     

    Keeping true to their Indy roots, Franz Ferdinand have remained active in the music scene of Glasgow and enjoy creating tunes that people can dance to. “There’s no point in trying to create music that has a commercial appeal, it just doesn’t work. I’ve known bands that have tried to chase after the current trend, or whatever is particularly fashionable…and it always comes across as being insincere and slightly distasteful” explains Kapranos. To survive in the current music industry, “you’ve got to keep writing goods songs” and that’s what they hope to do with their upcoming third album.

     

    AIRTIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

  • B’cast Bill likely to skip domestic content clause for English movie channels

    B’cast Bill likely to skip domestic content clause for English movie channels

    NEW DELHI: The government is likely to exempt English movie channels from sourcing 15 per cent of their total weekly programming from India.

    “We realize that not enough of English movies are made in India and mandating such sourcing of films from India for English movie channels would be difficult,” an official of the information and broadcasting ministry has told Indiantelevision.com.

    This would mean that the likes of Star Movies, HBO, Zee Studio, MGM and TCM (the last two are available on Dish TV’s DTH service) can breathe easy.

    The draft Broadcasting Bill 2006 had said that all TV channels should source from India 15 per cent of their total content broadcast every week.

    For Indian channels, dishing out primarily Indian entertainment programmes, this clause in the draft Bill should not cause much of a problem, but for foreign news and kids channels (Cartoon Network, BBC, Disney, etc) and niche ones like Discovery Travel and Living, Animax, it would mean reworking programming line ups.

    Channels like Animax, Disney, Toon Disney, Cartoon Network and Pogo would have to make more programmes in India or source them from here, which is not done up to the proposed 15 per cent.

    The government official explained that the proposed clause, which is based on similar laws elsewhere in the world, was more aimed towards addressing the concerns of the Indian animation industry.

    A section of the growing Indian animation industry, led by some big companies, had petitioned the government some months ago that foreign channels, especially kids’, should be directed to source a certain quantum of their programming from India.

    However, the government doesn’t propose to specify the quality of sourced programmes as and when the Broadcast Bill is enacted into a law. “That’s up to a respective channel to decide,” the official said.

    Even foreign news channels like BBC, CNN and Euro News need not worry unnecessarily.

    The proposed 15 per cent local programming does not mean live news, as had been envisaged buy some channels.

    It could be in the form of even current affairs pro