News Broadcasting
Star World to air controversial MJ special in April
MUMBAI: Star World is looking to boost its programme profile through the controversial Michael Jackson documentary Living With Michael Jackson. The channel has announced that it will air the show in April.
Documentary filmmaker Martin Bashir, best known for his 1995 interview with Princess Diana in which she first admitted to cheating on her husband, spent eight months as part of the King of Pop’s entourage and has created a documentary that has Michael Jackson furious.
Living With Michael Jackson drew 14 million viewers when it aired in Britain that works out to one in four Britons glued to their television sets.
In the US, ABC, which reportedly bought the documentary for US$5 million, attracted 27.1 million viewers for their Thursday night broadcast, translating into some serious advertising coin for the network.
The fallout from the documentary has been swift and aggressive when Jackson counter-attacked by filing formal complaints with two television watchdog organisations in Britain and then offered footage of Bashir praising his parenting skills to the television networks in the US who have thus far shown no interest in this rebuttal video.
Reacting to the documentary MJ said, “Today I feel more betrayed than perhaps ever before; that someone, who had got to know my children, my staff and me, whom I let into my heart and told the truth, could then sacrifice the trust I placed in him and produce this,” In the US, reaction to the programme has prompted Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred to ask that Child Welfare Services in Santa Barbara investigate Jackson’s behaviour around child guests at Neverland.
On Living With Michael Jackson viewers can expect dirt on Jackson’s predilection with sleeping with children, baby dangling, and $6 million shopping sprees. Other revelations include Jackson snatching his daughter Paris, placenta and all immediately after she was born as well as his denials about having extensive surgery on his face.
Critics have called for those close to Jackson to step in and help the troubled star. The rest of the world is watching the saga unfold in intrigue and bemusement.
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.
