News Broadcasting
CNN documenary ‘Beneath the Veil’ honoured by US National Press Club
CNN Productions Beneath the Veil has been awarded a Freedom of the Press Award by America’s National Press Club.
The documentary, created by Saira Shah, profiling life in Afghanistan under Taliban rule won one of the two Freedom of the Press awards given by the National Press Club. This marks the documentarys 13th honour since the programme aired last August in the US and elsewhere. The award will be given away on 22 July in Washington.
In Beneath the Veil, investigative journalist Saira Shah journeyed to her ancestral home of Afghanistan to look at life under the iron rule of the Taliban. With footage garnered from hidden cameras and unprecedented access, Shah provided a shocking view of the ruins of Kabul, the public executions and the forbidden underground network of women struggling to survive. From the frontlines to the secret classrooms, the execution grounds to the ruined gardens of Shahs fathers homeland, the film provides a searing and disturbing look into the Afghanistan under Taliban rule. The documentary was produced jointly by CNN Productions, Hardcash Productions and Channel 4.
The Freedom of the Press Award recognises members of the US and international news media who have promoted or helped protect the freedom of the press during the previous calendar year by publishing or broadcasting news. Judges weighed the risks involved to nominees, including loss of reputation, job and life as well as bodily harm, imprisonment and harm to family. Judges also looked at whether the nominees exercised commitment to the principles of free press, professionalism, ethical newsgathering practices, perseverance, ingenuity and personal integrity, says an official release.
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.
