News Broadcasting
BBC’s new media director outlines broadband vision
MUMBAI: The BBC director of new media and technology, Ashley Highfield, has outlined the corporation’s vision for a broadband Britain.
Highfield has called upon the collaboration and co-operation of the UK government and industry to avoid a digital underclass. Delivering the keynote speech at the Broadband Britain Summit, Highfield described broadband as a new era in the world of content delivery, and explained that the BBC was already working on an on-demand strategy that would use the potential of broadband to deliver its content in new ways.
He added that a higher speed of connection could offer both the BBC and the UK media industry new ways of involving audiences and providing them with choice.
“The BBC sees broadband as a means of enabling us to place greater emphasis on community and individuals’ contribution. It will open up new ways to involve people in civic process and institutions. Let us create personalised learning tools and tailored services for minority groups, as well as enabling more convenient way to watch and listen to our programmes and services.”
However, Highfield stressed that the BBC alone could not drive broadband take up. The UK government and industry will need to work together more closely if they were to surmount the three key barriers to broadband adoption: affordability, accessibility and awareness.
The BBC could play a key role in helping to drive broadband, said Highfield, through its high-quality original content, as well as its rich archive of programmes. But a fully connected digital Britain could only be achieved through collaboration and co-operation.
In order to explain his point, Highfield called for key players to initiate a digital literacy campaign in 2005 “to target those members of society who might find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide”.
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.
