News Broadcasting
Al Jazeera’s Wadah Khanfar to deliver MGEITF worldview address
MUMBAI: Al Jazeera Network DG Wadah Khanfar will give the Worldview Address at this year’s MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, which takes place from 22 – 24 August 2008.
In his Worldview Address, which offers a global view of the television business, Khanfar will discuss the international news media and its increased obsession with superficial and ‘immediate’ reporting, looking at whether the profession is in need of a serious overhaul.
Khanfar believes there is a “growing disinterest in the news and its analysis” and will offer a prescription for how international journalism needs to be overhauled, in particular the need to consider the social, cultural and historical dynamics of societies when reporting conflict.
The Al Jazeera Network includes the flagship Al Jazeera Arabic Channel, Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera Sports, Al Jazeera Mubasher, Al Jazeera Documentary as well as Al Jazeera.net. During his tenure, Khanfar has seen Al Jazeera Arabic’s audience grow to over 50 million peak viewers and also oversaw the launch of Al Jazeera English, which now reaches over 110 million households globally.
The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival offers delegates a programme of topical debates, masterclasses, keynote lectures and networking opportunities from leading UK and international media figures. The Festival programme is developed by an Advisory Committee made up of individuals from across the industry such as Left Bank MD Andy Harries, Brighter Pictures MD David Flynn, Outline Productions Joint Managing Director Helen Veale and Magic Lantern Creative Director Russell Stopford. The committee is chaired by C4 Head of Factual Entertainment Andrew Mackenzie.
The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival is a delegate entry event which annually attracts over 2000 delegates from all sectors and levels of the industry including a range of terrestrial broadcasters, cable, satellite and digital companies and independent producers.
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.
