News Broadcasting
Bidders pitch for French global news channel
MUMBAI : This is an initiative that aims at putting a European spin on news and currents affairs happenings. French media companies have submitted bids for the creation of an international television news channel. For a year now the country’s President Jacques Chirac has been keen on providing people with a French-flavoured alternative to the two global news giants CNN, BBC World .
The Iraq war saw BBC and CNN gain huge ground in terms of viewership across the globe. France along with Germany strongly opposed the war and so the proposed channel would offer a counter perspective.
A Reuters report states that the main French state-owned TV and radio groups made a case that their existing networks abroad would allow them to target 36 million homes in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, using English and Arabic as well as French at an early stage. The plan is to have the channel up and running by next year.
French broadcaster LCI wants a 50:50 venture with the state sector groups in the running, France Television and Radio France Internationale (RFI). It also maintained that the state would have to foot the bill.
LCI News channel was set up a decade ago but its audience is limited to the French. LCI’s plan is to provide subtitles in English or Arabic for global audiences, Around 30 to 40 per cent of the programme content would differ from the news and debates aired in France.
Another proposal comes from RFI. It plans to set up the international news channel with France Television at a cost of around 35 million euros ($38 million) a year. One more party said to be in the fray Canal Plus has stated that its experience in the delivery of digital TV would come in handy but stayed silent on the issue of the kind of content that it would offer.
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.
