News Broadcasting
Reading takes precedence over e media in India: Study
NEW YORK: India is not too “e-media friendly,” with only 31.9 hours being spent per person per week on electronic media.
The country however leads several other countries in newspaper readership with 79 per cent of the reading public hooked on newspapers. India also tops in another category – 87 per cent of parents with children under the age of 20 said that they spend more quality time with them. Worldwide, the figure is 54 per cent. Venezuela is at the bottom of the list at 21 per cent.
These are a few of the findings of 2002 Worldwide Time Study conducted by US based global marketing research and consulting firm RoperASW. The firm compared priorities around the globe. The study, conducted in 30 countries, sampled 1000 people in each country through in-depth interviews and revealed some surprising results with regard to how individuals spend time with family, at work and at play.
The study asked individuals how much time they spend and how often they partake in some common activities, offering a glimpse into the culture of each country. The RoperASW 2002 Worldwide Time Study dealt with consumers age 13 to 65 in each of 30 or more countries each year. The sample is nationally representative of the population in North America and Western Europe and the urban population in other regions and excludes lower-income groups in Latin America, developing Asia and Africa.
South Africans are the most media-hungry with each person devoting 59.4 hours per week to electronic media. Americans are slightly above average with 46.5 hours. The global average for time spent on electronic media (television, radio and Internet) is 42.3 hours per week.
While India leads in newspaper readership, the US comes in below average at 42 per cent. The UK is about average at 56 per cent. The study found that 53 per cent of the global population reads the newspaper almost daily. Mexico is on the bottom of the list with only 21 per cent.
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.
