News Broadcasting
Government open to more TRP measurement agencies: Dasmunshi
NEW DELHI: After having played the third umpire in the cricket telecast issue vis-?-vis Indian pubcaster, the government is now stirring up the ratings issue by saying today it’s open to the idea of allowing other players also to get into the act of measuring viewership and viewing patterns in Indian TV homes.
Information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi told Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) today that when TRP started in 2000 only TAM, which has an arrangement with an American company, came forward with some credibility.
But his ministry was now open to the idea of ensuring more coverage and allowing more sample surveys to make TRPs a complete exercise, Press Trust of India quoted the minister as having said in Parliament.
Allaying fears of members that TAM had commercial interest as also the private TV companies, which at times “manipulate” data to get large chunk of an estimated Rs 50 billion advertisement revenue, Dasmunshi said DD’s terrestrial network had the highest rating and its commercial revenue was continuously going up.
“We are not suffering in advertisement. We are also incurring profit,” he said, but admitted that in terms of satellite and cable TV networking DD News was lagging behind some of the private channels.
In this context, the minister announced that a major upgradation and technology improvement programme was underway to ensure that the quality of DD reception at homes was as good as its competitors.
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.
