News Broadcasting
Dasmunsi threatens action against news channel over sting op
NEW DELHI: Politicians of all hues are coming round to the view that hidden cameras and “peeping tom” journalists need to be gagged.
This was evident when information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, proposing action against a news channel on an operation relating to cash-for-residential space by elected members of Parliament, termed journalists as lowly paid people who carry out stings for nominal fees.
Commenting caustically on private TV channels’ sting operations, Dasmunsi said ”Ye do paise mei reporter rakhte hai, chaar paise ka kaam karate hai aur aath paise mei story bech dete hain (They recruit a reporter for two paise [for a sting operation], get work of four paise from him / her and then sell the material off for eight paise to a channel for telecast)”.
The minister was replying to a question raised in the Lok Sabha (Lower House) by a fellow parliamentarian on a sting operation by a TV channel yesterday. Dasmunsi said the whole operation was meant only to increase ratings to enhance the channel’s business, United News of India has reported.
A TV channel yesterday aired a sting operation wherein it showed official residences of ministers and Members of Parliament being rented out to servants and others.
The Bharatiya Janata party MP who raised the issue asked whether those who conducted the sting had taken permission from the House (sic!).
”Whatever was shown by a TV channel yesterday has lowered the prestige of the sovereign Parliament and belittled the elected representatives in the eyes of the people,” BJP MP Gangwar was quoted by UNI as having said in Parliament.
The sting operation showed occupants of the servant quarters’ of some MPs and ministers residences admitting that they were paying monthly rent ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500.
Dasmunsi, while referring to sting operations, said these private channels were more interested in sensationalism and fooling the people into believing what they telecast.
The minister, while not revealing the course of action his ministry was planning, assured the House that ”by this afternoon something will come against such harakiri.”
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.
