News Broadcasting
Nielsen facing growing opposition regarding proposed system for New York
MUMBAI: Don’t cut us out. That is the message that black and Hispanic groups are trying to get out to television measurement system Nielsen in New York.
From 8 April Nielsen is planning to use a new method for the big apple which is something that the minority groups are opposing.
The change involves adopting locally the so-called people meters Nielsen has used since 1986 to gather national ratings data. The people meters would replace the paper diaries Nielsen has provided to viewers in local markets since 1950, as well as set-top boxes that are not as technically sophisticated.
A report in the New York Times stated that Nielsen intends to switch New York, Chicago and Los Angeles to local people meters as part of plans to have all the 10 largest local markets using them by next year. Boston, shifted to people meters in 2002.
Leading New York lawmakers have over the past few days sent letters to Nielsen Media Research president and CEO Susan Whiting. The message is to ask Nielsen to stop undercounting minority viewers in New York City through the proposed new system. One letter reads thus “We are deeply concerned that while Nielsen Media Research has acknowledged errors in its tracking of minority viewership in New York City the company has not taken action to examine and correct its flaws. We have worked too long and too hard to try to create a diversity of voices in the media to see it all vanish due to one company’s stubbornness.”
Another letter stated, “If this flawed technology goes forward and minority viewers are systematically undercounted, the consequences could be severe. Programming featuring minority entertainers could lose significant audience share and be cancelled. Advertisers will no longer see a need to target their messages to minority consumers. The economic, social and cultural impact could be enormous.”
Now the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People and Congress members including Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton have lent their weight to the protests. Nielsen meanwhile has defended the move stating that the number of households sampled with African-American and Hispanic viewers would actually increase under the proposed changes.
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.
