CNN-IBN, HT join hands in initiative against terror

The voices against terror are growing louder and stronger by the day. Two prominent media players, CNN-IBN and Hindustan Times (HT), have joined hands to launch a campaign, called Citizens Against Terror, in their bid to rally people to work for a secure, peaceful tomorrow.

Citizens Against Terror is a joint editorial initiative by CNN-IBN and HT to formulate a citizen's charter that will contain workable solutions to combat terror in the future. The campaign was launched in the first week of December.

In an email interview to afaqs!, Dilip Venkatraman, chief marketing officer, IBN Network, and chief operating officer, IBN Focus, says, “26/11 will remain on our minds for times to come. We need to move beyond the blame game and work on actual solutions.”

Venkatraman adds, “The joint campaign by CNN-IBN and HT asks citizens to provide constructive suggestions to combat terror. These suggestions will be shortlisted and vetted by a panel of eminent citizens, who will help formulate the citizen's charter.”

The charter thus formulated will be presented to the Union home minister and the chief minister of Maharashtra. Venkatraman says, “Citizens have to express their views on what India needs to do to fight against terror. The writeup has to be less than 100 words. The suggestion can be for any domain but has to transverse into one simple solution to combat terror.”

CNN-IBN and Hindustan Times are inviting viewers to send in constructive suggestions on IBNLive.com and Hindustantimes.com. Citizens can debate online, write blogs and send video blogs to IBNLive.com. The suggestions are also being featured on CNN-IBN, published in HT and carried on IBNLive.com and Hindustantimes.com.

Venkatraman adds, “In addition to our daily news stories, we have planned half-hour specials at 9.30 pm every Saturday and at 5.30 pm every Sunday to talk and debate on the perils of terror. On December 26, a month after the Mumbai siege, we will air a special show at 10.30 pm as a finale to the campaign and to reveal the citizen's charter.”

Gowri Satyamoorthy Kapre, national marketing and promotions head, Fever 104 FM, says, “We are asking people to channel their anger in a positive manner and share their plan of action by calling on a dedicated number, 42104104.”

Kapre adds, “This is a way of giving a voice to the people. Since the day Mumbai was attacked, our RJs (radio jockeys) have been consistently making references to the terror attacks to seek public support in striving for peace and harmony. In support of the initiative, we are airing 30-second pre-recorded promos six times a day to urge our listeners to become a part of the Citizens Against Terror initiative.”