News Broadcasting
Governors’ report stresses need for BBC to improve quality of comedy, drama
MUMBAI: The BBC’s board of governors has published the pubcaster’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2004/05 which records a year of radical change throughout the corporation. The report covers the first full year term of BBC chairman Michael Grade
The Governors said that on BBC Television much progress had been made in responding to audience expectations of quality and distinctiveness. However there is still more that must be done. There needs to be fewer repeats in peak-time on BBC One as well as increasing the quality of comedy and drama across television. BBC Two’s reach needs to be increased without endangering its new-found distinctiveness.
There is also a need to improve the value-for-money proposition of the digital television channels. On the radio front the governors noted the success of Radios 1 and 2 and their distinctiveness from others in the commercial sector. But the Governors also recognised their responsibility for ensuring that BBC Radio continued to meet its public service remit. bbc.co.uk and BBC News were identified by the Governors as clear examples of how the BBC’s purposes articulated in Building Public Value have delivered greater responsiveness at the BBC.
These include the six objectives which were set by the Governors last year. These covered journalism and impartiality; creativity and ambition; value-for-money; driving digital; and the BBC’s global reputation . Here, the Governors noted that significant progress was being made in the journalism arena which is driving the BBC’s digital and global reputation. On the value-for-money criteria the Governors were satisfied, having commissioned independent analysis, that the savings through job cuts and the selling of divisions like BBC Broadcast were achievable and in the interests of licence fee payers, but they recognised these changes had impacted on staff morale.
Meanwhile the report also states that the new system of service licences will provide greater clarity on what management, staff, audiences and commercial competitors can expect from all the BBC’s services. It will enable the Board to judge performance transparently using consistent measures. The Governance Unit is developing the framework for the service licences. This will shortly be opened to consultation and the initial licences are scheduled for publication early next year, to ensure formal operation at the start of the new Charter in 2007.
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.
