News Broadcasting
China proving a tough nut to crack for Murdoch
MUMBAI: Global media firms are feeling the heat of China’s aversion towards them. News Corp chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch has admitted that his plans for China are not going as smoothly as had been hoped for. He conceeded that his company had hit a “brick wall in China,” after the government reversed a policy of relaxing controls on international media organisations.
China hasn’t responded to Murdoch’s criticism that the country’s authorities had reversed a policy to open the market to international media companies. Murdoch has accused China’s leaders of being quite paranoid about the kind of news that gets through.
Media reports indicate that Star is authourised in some areas of Guangdong province and some residential compounds and hotels. Efforts to expand have been blocked and the broadcaster is said to be under investigation of allegations that it sold access. Officials in China are investigating News Corp for alleged cooperation with unapproved local cable networks.
Murdoch spoke at a a panel on global media at the Clinton Global Initiative. At the meeting Time Warner chairman and CEO Richard Parsons said in news reporting one cannot compromise. That is because news either has integrity or it doesn’t. It either is accurate, balanced and fair or it isn’t. The Chinese he says are doing whatever they can to manage the message. They are clearly looking to open up at their own time and pace.
At the same time Murdoch noted that there is a limit as to how much the Chinese government can control the entry of foreign content. He gave the example of pirated copies of Hollywood movies that are freely available. Murdoch has also criticised Yahoo!. The internet firm turned over information that led to the imprisonment of a Chinese journalist. The online firm is believed to have done it to get on the good side of the Chinese government. China is said to be a potential Internet usage gold mine. Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang has said that the company had no choice because the government asked for the documents and backed up its request with a court order. Parsons has decided against distributing AOL in China as the Chinese government wants to monitor messages sent on the service.
He noted that the Chinese government did not differentiate between different parts of a company. The whole company is labelled as being unfavourable because of something going on at the news division. Parsons also praised CNN’s global efforts. Murdoch though not surprisingly feels that nobody watches it because it is so unwatchable and it’s so anti-American.
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.
