News Broadcasting
BBC axes 60 jobs in London news operations
LONDON: In a major cost cutting drive, BBC bosses are axing 60 jobs in its news operation. More jobs may be lost when BBC’s Ceefax and online news services merge at the beginning of next year. In addition, a recruitment freeze has been imposed across the entire BBC news department.
The redundancies come as the BBC director general, Greg Dyke, seeks to save ?160m across the entire corporation, states a BBC report.
“Spiralling costs and changes in programme requirements and aspirations are the main causes of the unexpected redundancies,” BBC newsgathering chief Adrian van Klaveren is quoted as having said in the report. 26 jobs will go within the BBC’s newsgathering department, where significant changes will be made to balance the budget and meet changing editorial requirements, the report adds.
The budget shortfall in the news division is estimated to be about ?15m. However the deficit is in addition to last year’s overspend in the news budget following September 11, the war on terrorism and the Bali bombing.
“We understand people are very anxious to know the outcome and we will do everything we can to move this forward as quickly as possible in order to allay the uncertainties which everyone will be feeling,” commented Klaveren.
Interestingly, the report further reveals that BBC director of news, Richard Sambrook, had written to his department’s 3,300 staff inviting them to consider voluntary redundancy at the end of last year.
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.
