News Broadcasting
CNN unveils plans for Olympics coverage
MUMBAI: With the Beijing Olympics kicking off in less than a month’s time, news broadcaster CNN is to feature live coverage from the Chinese capital over more than three and a half weeks on air, online and on mobile. Led by the network’s bureau in Beijing since 1986, correspondents including John Vause, Anjali Rao, Jaime FlorCruz, Larry Smith and Mark McKay bring the world’s biggest sporting event from every angle to more than 220 million households around the world.
Countdown Beijing is CNN’s week of special programming airing in the run-up to the opening ceremony that takes the daily pulse of the city’s excitement and expectation. Every weekday from 4 August John Vause and Anjali Rao anchor parts of live shows from the iconic capital while extensive special reports also feature.
They focus on aspects including the 500,000 people working on security during the games, the huge enthusiasm amongst the Chinese population as the games approach, concerns over pollution for athletes and visitors alike, getting tough on doping athletes or how Beijingers are opening up their homes to tourists for ‘homestays’. Packages are viewable online at www.cnn.com/olympics and come from across China, including Hong Kong on equestrian facilities and anti-doping measures and from Sichuan Province on feelings among the quake survivors as the Olympic Torch passes through.
As part of Countdown Beijing, the Hong-Kong produced show Talk Asia also features in-depth interviews with Olympic giants. Literally, on the one hand with Houston Rockets and China basketball superstar Yao Ming. British athletics great Sebastian Coe and internationally-acclaimed artist (and director of the Olympic fireworks) Cai Guo-Qiang also figure amongst the stellar line-up. CNN hears too from some of the not so famous people involved, from taxi drivers to tourists, souvenir vendors to tourism greeters.
From 8 August onwards when the Games officially open, correspondents Mark Mckay and Larry Smith are to bring the latest developments in the quest for gold in more than 300 events, in dedicated live editions of the network’s signature sport program ‘World Sport’.
Online, www.cnn.com/Olympics boasts a wide range of exclusive videos and written reports featuring stories from across China and beyond. Olympics dispatches from around the world and journals from local citizens and overseas athletes alike bring to life the Olympic dream as thousands prepare for the biggest day of their sporting lives.
The new ‘Fanzone’ section, www.cnn.com/fanzone brings video, quizzes, interactive games, polls, in-depth reports and more, while no matter where you are in the world, through the iReport function sport fans can send in their photos and videos of experiences in and around the XXIX Olympiad. Additionally, www.cnnsi.com delivers more than 150 original new sports stories to users every week and boasts one of the most comprehensive archives of any sport website. Finally, CNNmobile will be launching soon a free new service to catch the latest Olympics action.
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.
