InnovationAus will be releasing up to five podcasts a week in 2026, as announced via its Activate webinar held Tuesday afternoon.

Website @AuManufacturing news and media which first appeared in 2018, and grew out of networking group, the Australian Manufacturing Forum, has closed.

ABC Local Radio is set to welcome familiar voices this summer. From Monday 22 December to Sunday 11 January, the summer schedule unites some of the nation’s most recognisable broadcasters with trusted local presenters for a line-up that celebrates connection and community.

Triple j and Double J have unveiled their 2026 schedules, including new shows and the departure of a Mornings host.

In a move which seems similar to that of independent publication Australian Traveller some months ago, News Corp has today also announced an AI-powered holiday assistant which goes fully live in February. News Corp’s Escape publication’s AI is called Ask Skye, and the publisher says it’s “a new AI-powered personal travel assistant that simplifies holiday planning for consumers”.

Top marks for NAPLAN, Japan not happy, neither are Jews, Libs clash on migration, OpenAI inks Aussie deals, choppers going to Ukraine, Trump doesn't fly down-under, plug pulled on ebikes, teacher stabs boss, and ABC throws a party. All this and more in today's news.

Saidul Islam, a senior journalist from Diphu, Assam, passed away suddenly in Sikkim on Sunday, November 30, following a cardiac arrest. Islam was the founder of the news portal Hills View Today and served as a correspondent for Gana Adhikar. He had also been associated with ETV Bharat and Assam Times Post throughout his journalism career, Northeastlivetv reported.

On the second death anniversary of late journalist Bablu Paswan, a statue in his memory was unveiled at his native village, Vishanpur in Bihar. The ceremony was attended by his family, friends, and well-wishers, alongside dignitaries including Obra MLA Dr Prakash Chandra and Arwal MLA Manoj Sharma.

A 13-member media delegation from Hyderabad has embarked on a seven-day visit to Assam under the Media Outreach Programme organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Hyderabad. The tour, which began on Sunday, November 30, is designed to give journalists firsthand exposure to Central Government schemes, Assam’s cultural heritage, and major development projects.

When Arunava Banerjee describes himself, he doesn’t reach for the usual journalistic labels. He doesn’t say reporter, editor, creative, or content strategist. He calls himself something far more poetic: a cartographer — someone who maps worlds, connects pathways, and charts meaning for people who may never visit those worlds themselves. It’s an unusually introspective way of seeing journalism, but in many ways, it fits him perfectly.

Gen Z is no longer just the audience — they’re inside newsrooms, shaping scripts, influencing tone, and redefining how stories are told. Their presence is visible across workplaces, social media, and editorial spaces, where a new vocabulary, work ethic, and creative rhythm are taking root. Even national leadership has taken note. While unveiling India’s first private orbital rocket, Vikram-1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the rise of “Gen Z startups,” underscoring how youth-led innovation is accelerating across sectors.

Lead: Parliament’s winter session opened in chaos as the Opposition demanded an immediate debate on SIR of electoral rolls, forcing adjournments in both Houses. Spotlight: Oxford University Press picked “rage bait” as 2025’s word of the year, highlighting how provocation-driven content now shapes online behaviour. Tech: The government has ordered all smartphone makers to preload the Sanchar Saathi app, raising industry and privacy concerns. Sports: Women’s hockey coach Harendra Singh resigned amid complaints from players over behaviour and poor results. Entertainment: Samantha and Raj Nidimoru tie the knot.

Influencing has announced the return of the IT Journalism Awards - widely and fondly known as the Lizzies - with the 2026 ceremony locked in for Friday March 27 at Sydney’s Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf. The annual celebration brings together technology reporters, editors, creators, and publishers to recognise excellence in Australian tech journalism. Entries for the 2026 awards open today, Tuesday December 2, and close on 6 February 2026.

CPR Global has bagged the communications and public relations mandate for str8bat, a fast-growing sports technology company known for its cricket performance analytics tools. Under this partnership, CPR Global will lead str8bat’s media relations, strategic communication and stakeholder engagement efforts across India, aiming to boost the brand’s visibility in the sports-tech space.