News Broadcasting
BBC staff strike disrupts live shows
MUMBAI: Thousands of journalists and technicians of British Broadcasting Corp had taken part in a 24-hour long work stoppage. The strike, staged to protest the broadcaster’s plan to cut about 4,000 jobs, disrupted some live news shows.
The shows suffered included Today Show on Radio 4. Instead of the live news between 8:30 am and 9 am, BBC News 24 had a recorded program featuring interviews with two members of 1980s British rock band Duran Duran, known for such songs as Hungry Like the Wolf.’
The BBC2 television station was unaffected, as were the children’s TV channels, said a BBC spokesman. Radio 2 and Radio 3 had live news broadcasts at the top of the hour, as usual, he said.
A BBC statement posted on its official website said, “Industrial action will not remove the need for further consultation or the need for the BBC to implement changes, which will enable us to put more money into improved programs and services.”
It also added, that the BBC believes the best way forward is for unions to return to the table.
In addition to the 24-hour strike, a further 48-hour strike is planned from 31 May to 1 June. Employees are represented by three unions: the National Union of Journalists, Amicus and Bectu, the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union.
The BBC had announced plans to eliminate 3,780 jobs, partly through outsourcing and the sale of some units, as it prepares for renewal of its 10-year royal charter. BBC director general Mark Thompson sighted that the cutbacks are needed to save money for reinvestment in new types of digital media.
A statement posted on the union’s website National Union of Journalists secretary general Jeremy Dear said, “We knew this strike would be big and get massive backing from staff, but the effect it is having on programming is even greater than expected.”
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.
