News Broadcasting
Centre looking at tougher uplink norms for foreign news channels
NEW DELHI: The Indian government is planning to further tighten the screws on foreign TV news channels and electronic news agencies by bringing in regulation that would envisage such entities get their content, being uplinked out of India via Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd, cleared by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
Apart from a sense of control creeping in, the proposed regulation is also likely to make it mandatory that all such news channels (like CNN, BBC and even ESPN and Star Sports) and news agencies (like APTN and CCTV) get themselves accredited to the PIB, a long drawn procedure.
These are part of a set of proposals prepared by the information and broadcasting ministry under revised uplinking norms that are awaiting a Cabinet nod. The issue was scheduled to be taken up by the Cabinet today, but was taken off the agenda at the last moment due to the absence of I&B minister Jaipal Reddy, who is away on an official foreign tour.
Ministry officials are attempting to play down the indirect control that they would wield over various foreign news channels, not directly uplinking from India, but using VSNL’s facilities for sending news stories to their respective headquarters.
The proposed move would indirectly result in the handing of powers of censorship into the hands of the PIB, manned by officials of the I&B ministry. The designated authority would also have the powers to screen content supposed to go out of India for foreign news channels.
Most such news channels like CNN and BBC use VSNL’s uplinking facilities to send news inputs on a daily basis, while taking special government permission for direct uplinking on special occasions.
Government officials also say that though ESPN Star Sports manage sports channels, they could also fall into this category because ESS air sports news bulletins.
Channels like CNN and BBC would ideally not like to uplink straight out of India as that would mean they have to conform to government guidelines for news channels and bring down the foreign shareholding in the Indian operation to 26 per cent.
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.
