News Broadcasting
EU urges government to raise FDI in media
MUMBAI: It was in March at a special session on ‘The Future of Newspapers in the World’, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), that (then) information and broadcasting Jaipal Reddy indicated it was not opposed to foreign direct investment (FDI) in the media, including print and electronic.
At another CII meeting in the capital today, Viviane Reding, European Union commissioner for information society and media, raised the issue again when she urged India to remove restrictions on foreign investments in print and broadcasting media to enable media houses in the EU forge joint ventures with their Indian counterparts.
“I am going to raise this issue (of raising foreign equity cap) in print and audio visual media with Indian government. Many companies from EU have expressed their keenness to enter into joint venture with Indian print and broadcast groups. The less and less are the barriers, trading relations will be better,” the Press trust of India quoted Reding as saying.
As per current norms, FDI in news and current affairs of both print and television media is 26 per cent, while in FM radio and in direct-to-home venture it is 20 per cent. It is only for speciality publications (trade and science) that 100 per cent FDI is allowed.
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.
