News Broadcasting
PEMRA bans Geo Entertainment and ARY News
MUMBAI: A few days after the licence of Pakistan’s leading news broadcaster Geo News was suspended for a fortnight alleging it had defamed the Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has done the same for two other channels.
Another Geo channel, Geo Entertainment and news channel ARY News have also been asked to stop broadcasting for 30 and 15 days respectively and cough up a fine of Rs 1 crore for airing unsuitable content.
Geo Entertainment’s licence was suspended as PEMRA accused it of insulting the viewers’ religious sentiments by playing a religious song at the mock wedding of controversial Pakistani actress Veena Malik.
ARY News on the other hand was hauled up for airing shows that were anti-judiciary and disrespectful to the higher courts. The channel’s anchor Mubashir Lucman and his talk show Khara Sach have also been banned. In return the channel has stated in one of its programmes that it will challenge the ban in the court.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
