News Broadcasting
Foreign news agencies come under government scan
NEW DELHI: After the turn of KU-band DTH, print media and satellite uplinking, it’s the turn of foreign news agencies to be under the scanner of the government.
The coalition Indian government is now seeking to review the policy that guides the operation of foreign news agencies in India and whether they should be allowed to directly supply Indian news to Indian clients and others.
The information and broadcasting ministry has called for opinions and suggestions on continuation or modification of the policy. The existing policy is governed by a Cabinet decision of 1956, which is also based on the recommendations of the First Press Commission.
According to the Cabinet decision, communication facilities should be granted to foreign news agencies only where distribution of news within the country is to be effected through an Indian news agency owned and managed by Indians, which would have full and final authority in the selection of foreign news for distribution and which would also be in a position to supply Indian news in a reasonable volume to the foreign news agencies with which it has a working arrangement.
This decision has been the yardstick for examining requests of foreign news agencies to operate in India. However, foreign news agencies were allowed direct distribution of financial news by selected clients for their own use and not for further reproduction and publication.
Opinions and suggestions are to be sent to the secretary, I&B ministry, ‘A’ Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi 110001. The responses could also be sent by e-mail at pibnic@sb.nic.in.
Considering the amount of debate that goes on whenever any government seeks to go in for a policy change or its review, this move may be laudable, but is sure to take time. And with elections in some states round the corner later this year and the general elections due next year, a decision on the operation of foreign news agencies in India seems unlikely during the tenure of this government.
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.
