News Broadcasting
Asianet News Network acquires 51% stake in Kannada Prabha
BANGALORE: Asianet News Network (ANN) has acquired a 51 per cent stake in Kannada Prabha, the New Indian Express Group’s leading Kannada daily newspaper, as it seeks to spread its footprint across television, Internet and print.
The financial details of the deal could not be ascertained.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s regional news empire now consists of Asianet News in Malayalam, Suvarna News in Kannada and a major part of Kannada Prabha.
Kannada Prabha was founded by Ramnath Goenka on 4 November 1967. With a tagline ‘The Most Powerful Kannada Newspaper’, the Bangalore-headquartered Kannada Prabha is spread across the state with other editions in Mangalore, Shimoga, Hubli, Belgaum, Hyderabad and Goa.
Says ANN chairman Rajeev Chandrasekhar, “This alliance will leverage the vast synergy between two of Kannada’s most respected and credible news brands, namely Kannada Prabha and Suvarna News 24×7. This partnership and strategic alliance will be transformational for the reader and the viewer, giving the best in editorial, news reporting and features acceptable to millions of readers and viewers. ANN’s journalism credo ‘Nera Ditta Nirantara’ (Straightforward, Bold and Relentless) will now be visible in Kannada Prabha as well.”
Senior journalist Vishweshwar Bhat has been appointed as the Editor-in-Chief and will spearhead the integration and growth of all the platforms.
Suvarna News is investing in a new Bangalore studio and news gathering infrastructure, which is scheduled to be commissioned in the next few months.
Chandrasekhar had earlier acquired Asianet, which owned and operated a clutch of popular Malayalam channels. He went on to launch Asianet Suvarna, a Kannada general entertainment channel, and Suvarna News 24×7. In late 2008, he sold the entertainment channels to Star India while retaining the news outfits.
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.
