News Broadcasting
Barton elected chairman of World Broadcasting Unions’ sports body
MUMBAI: The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) head of sport, John Barton, has been appointed as chairman of the World Broadcasting Unions’ (WBU) Sports Committee.
Barton was unanimously elected by representatives of the sport committee convening at a recent World Broadcasting Unions (WBU) meeting. He will represent broadcast unions from Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Americas, Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean with a combined television audience of five billion people, states a press release.
“I am delighted to take on this additional role and the challenges it poses,” Barton said from Kuala Lumpur.
“There are difficult times ahead for many free-to-air broadcasters in the new media environment, and for sports federations eager to see their product televised to the masses,” he added.
He said he would also be focusing on strategies to counter the continuing escalation in broadcast rights fees, and how the various media assets would be exploited in the years to come.
Earlier this year, Barton was appointed to the Radio and Television Commission of the International Olympic Committee, which overseas all elements of broadcast operations for both the Summer and Winter Games, adds the release.
The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union is a non-profit, non-government, professional association of broadcasting organisations, formed in 1964 to facilitate the development of broadcasting in the Asia-Pacific region and to organise co-operative activities amongst its members.
It currently has over 150 members in 55 countries, with its broadcaster members reaching a potential audience of about 3 billion people. The ABU provides a forum for promoting the collective interests of television and radio broadcasters, and engages in activities to encourage regional and international co-operation between broadcasters.
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.
