News Broadcasting
China blocks BBC transmission
China said on Friday it had removed the BBC World television news channel from its airwaves for “infringing” broadcast rules, a move the corporation said was linked to a report on the banned Falungong spiritual movement.
BBC announced from London that Chinese authorities switched off the channel’s encrypted signal through the Sinosat 1 satellite earlier this week, Agence France Presse reported.
The contentious story reportedly aired Sunday and was prepared by the BBC’s Hong Kong office. It focused on the fifth anniversary of the return of the former British colony to Chinese rule. The story included information about the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which Chinese officials call an evil cult that is a threat to order and stability.
“The transmission of BBC World has been suspended by the Chinese authorities since Monday following an item on the Falungong that appeared on the station,” a BBC World spokesperson said.
AFP quoted a spokesperson for the China International Television Corporation, the state-run body responsible for the import and export of programmes to the country, as confirming the signal had been switched off. “Yes, it’s true, the reason is that some programmes of the BBC infringed rules on the transmission of foreign programmes in China,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.
BBC World, which is only available at upmarket hotels and a small number of foreigners’ residence compounds in China, could still be viewed in Asia via PanAmSat 2, 8 and 10, the BBC spokesperson was quoted as saying.
The corporation is reportedly in discussions with Chinese authorities in a bid to clear up the problem.
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.
