News Broadcasting
Steve Askew exits Star, Laureen Ong appointed COO
MUMBAI: Confirming news that has been doing the rounds for a while now, Star has announced that its long serving COO Steve Askew has resigned from the company. Replacing Askew as chief operating officer is Laureen Ong, whose appointment is effective June.
A company release issued today cites the reasons for Askew’s departure as personal.
Star chief operating officer Laureen Ong
Ong joins Star from National Geographic Channel where she was the founding president of the network, having spearheaded the 2001 launch of NGC.
Prior to launching National Geographic Channel, Ong served for two years as vice president and general manager of WTTG-TV in Washington where she was the first Asian-American woman to lead a top 10 market affiliate. Ong also helped launch SportsVision in Chicago, where she served for seven years eventually becoming executive producer and VP broadcasting for the World Series-winning Chicago White Sox baseball team (in which she continues to hold an ownership stake).
Speaking about Askew’s exit Star CEO Paul Aiello said, “Steve has been with Star for over 10 years and has played a key leadership role in virtually every aspect of our operations. He has been an instrumental force in shaping the company and growing it from a relatively small broadcaster into the industry leader it is today. We thank Steve for his tremendous contributions and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
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.
