News Broadcasting
Centre to set up a media consultative committee
MUMBAI: The centre is setting up a standing Media Consultative Committee to address the growing concerns over media coverage on crisis situations. Television news channels had been criticised for the way they covered live the terror attacks on Mumbai.
The minister of state for information and broadcasting (I&B) and external affairs Anand Sharma has said that the committee will be chaired by the secretary, information and broadcasting with representatives of key ministries, News Broadcasters’ Association (NBA), and editor’s guild as members.
“Extraordinary circumstances require careful coverage, not hampering rescue or counter operations.” he said and added that a training programme is being introduced in consultation with the ministries of home and defence for the media persons on how to cover crisis situations, without exposing themselves to the risks.
Meanwhile, the centre has welcomed the news coverage guidelines formulated by the NBA with respect to coverage of crisis situations. Sharma said, “It is a step in the right direction.”
Sharma stressed upon the need for mature news broadcasting in the country, and said that the Mumbai terror attacks were a learning opportunity both for the Government as well as the media. He said that high level meetings were held between representatives of media and secretaries of key ministries like home, defence, tourism and I&B to agree upon and formulate ethics of news journalism in modern era.
News Broadcasters appreciated the concerns expressed by various security and administrative outfits and agreed to address them, Sharma added.
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.
