News Broadcasting
Al Jazeera International names Rageh Omaar to host ‘Witness’
MUMBAI: Al Jazeera International, the 24-hour English language news and current affairs channel, has named the renowned journalist Rageh Omaar to host a daily documentary strand Witness.
Witness will be what its title implies, a programme of first-hand account. No academics, no commentators unless they are themselves ‘Witnesses’.
The programme will give voice to witnesses from all over the globe, featuring human stories made by storytellers from all walks of life. The documentary Witness will include material gathered from freelancers and independent companies all across the globe through a unique commissioning site www.ajicommissioning.net.
Al Jazeera International director programming Paul Gibbs says, “As the channel’s daily documentary strand, Witness will be the epitome of traditional storytelling with characters that we care about and age old themes presented by internationally renowned journalist Rageh Omaar. We will be unveiling more of our diverse programme offering as we get closer to launch in late Spring of this year,” Gibbs continued.
“It’s hugely exciting to be joining a channel which promises to revolutionise global news and current affairs” said Omaar.
Rageh will continue to make programmes for other broadcasters. Rageh Omaar was most recently BBC News’ Africa correspondent based in Johannesburg. His reporting during the Iraq war made him a household name. Many of his broadcasts were syndicated across the US, where the Washington Post labelled him the ‘Scud Stud’.
Previously Rageh was developing world correspondent for the BBC covering stories ranging from drought in Ethiopia to devastating floods in Mozambique. Prior to that he was Amman correspondent having taken a three-month sabbatical at the University of Jordan to study Arabic. Between 1994 and 1996, he worked as a broadcast journalist for the World Service and then became a producer and reporter for Newshour.
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.
