WION
WION, an acronym for World Is One News, is an English-language international television news channel based in Noida, India, owned by Zee Media Corporation Limited, part of the Essel Group.[1][2] Launched on 15 August 2016 as India's first privately owned global news network, it aims to deliver breaking news, in-depth analysis, and perspectives on international affairs, often emphasizing India's role and viewpoint in global events.[3][4] The channel, founded under the vision of Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra to project India's narrative internationally, features programming such as daily world news bulletins, special reports, and shows hosted by journalists including former anchor Palki Sharma and later additions like Vikram Chandra for targeted series on India and global stories.[4][5] It has garnered recognition for innovation in news delivery, winning 17 awards at the 2022 Future of News Conference for categories spanning digital storytelling and global reporting.[6] WION's coverage extends across television, online streaming, and social media, reaching audiences in over 190 countries with a focus on underreported stories from South Asia and beyond.[2][7] While rated as least biased by media analysts for balanced reporting and minimal loaded language, WION has faced criticisms for perceived pro-India stances, particularly in coverage of regional rivals like Pakistan and China, attributed by detractors to its ownership ties to Subhash Chandra, a Rajya Sabha member aligned with India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.[8][9] Such views, often voiced on platforms like Quora and Reddit, highlight occasional accusations of nationalist framing, though empirical assessments prioritize its factual output over subjective bias claims.[10][11] The channel has also drawn external rebukes, such as from China's embassy over interviews amplifying Taiwan's position, underscoring its role in challenging dominant geopolitical narratives.[12]