The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has introduced amendments to the FM Radio Phase III Policy Guidelines, offering concessions on annual fees for FM channels in new, uncovered cities across the North East, Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and island territories.  Under the Batch III FM Phase III auction, which includes FM channels in these uncovered cities, the reserve price for the auction will be based on the 2022 recommendations by TRAI. According to the Ministry's statement, "The permission holder in uncovered new cities under Batch III FM Phase III auction shall be liable to pay an Annual Fee to the Government of India charged at 4 per cent of the Gross Revenue of its FM radio channel for the financial year, excluding Goods and Service Tax." However, for cities in the North-East, Jammu and Kashmir, and the island territories, the Annual Fee will be reduced to 2 per cent of the Gross Revenue for an initial period of three years. The ministry also release

The violence in Manipur continues to escalate, with fresh clashes between students and police adding fuel to the ongoing turmoil. For the unversed, the current protests in Manipur are largely driven by deep-seated ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities. These tensions escalated following the demand by the Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which many believe would exacerbate existing inequalities. The recent student protests were triggered by the killing of two Meitei students, fuelling anger and demands for justice. The government's response, including curfews, internet bans, and increased police presence, has only intensified the unrest, with students clashing with police as they push for accountability. Multiple publications have provided diverse coverage of these incidents. The Hindu emphasised the intensity of the protests, noting that students clashed with police while attempting to march to the Raj Bhavan and were injured when the police reso

Stevie Jacobs, a well-known media personality, has announced his move to Sky News as a weather presenter. Jacobs shared the news on LinkedIn, expressing his enthusiasm for the new role. "Very excited to announce that I’m joining the team at Sky News Weather. Working with an amazing group of people to produce and present the latest weather news from Australia and around the world. It’s been a while since I’ve presented the weather but I’m having the best time. Tune in to channel 601," Jacobs posted. Jacobs began his media career as a teenager, gaining recognition on the sitcom 'All Together Now'. He later spent 28 years at Nine Network, hosting various shows and serving as a producer. In 2020, he transitioned to Nine Radio, hosting breakfast shows across 2UE, 4BH, 6GT, and Magic 1278.  

It’s 30 years since Geoff Ebbs left his technology journalism role at PC Week. He became a best-selling author, started a business, went bust and then went into politics, with environmental conversation replacing technology at the fulcrum of his professional pursuits. Speaking to Influencing for this episode of ITJ Alumni, Ebbs traced his beginnings with technology back to the late 1970’s when a maths degree evolved into computer programming on mini-computers. On the side, he started writing articles about PC software for business and accounting magazines,before joining Australian Consolidated Press’s Computer Publications division where he started working with PC User magazine. “Computer Publications had just got a lot of money from Kerry Packer and my first job was building a database… to turn two filing cabinets full of product brochures into Buyer’s Guides To Hardware and Software,” Ebbs said. “So 1989 we finished that, which was about a year late, and so that

The Seven Network has appointed Peter Charles as managing director of its Victoria operations, effective immediately, according to a company press release. Charles will continue in his current roles as Victorian Sales Director and Head of National Independent Agencies and Direct. Expressing his excitement about the new role, Charles said, “As a proud Melbournian and a true believer in the power of our content and our brand, I’m honoured to take on this new position and the opportunity to represent Seven Melbourne. I love Seven and the role it plays in communities across Australia and Victoria.” Having joined Seven in 1999, Charles has celebrated 25 years with the network. Jeff Howard, managing director and CEO of Seven West Media, commended Charles for his extensive media experience, leadership abilities, and strong connection to Melbourne. “With more than 30 years’ experience in the media industry, Pete is one of the best in the business and a proven builder and leader

Ayushman Baruah has been appointed as the regional bureau head at Entrepreneur India. Announcing his new role on LinkedIn, Baruah stated: “After a short break, I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Regional Bureau Head at Entrepreneur India!” In his new role, Baruah will lead the magazine's technology coverage and write about everything relevant to the brand. He was most recently the chief of bureau at Business Standard in Bengaluru. Baruah has worked in editorial roles at The Shillong Times, The Financial Express, InformationWeek, MetricStream, BW Businessworld and LiveMint. He can be reached at bayushman@entrepreneurindia.com and ayushmanbaruah84@gmail.com  

Qazi Faraz Ahmad has announced on LinkedIn that he has assumed a new position as deputy news editor at Hindustan Times. He was most recently a special correspondent at Press Trust of India (PTI). Ahmad has earlier assumed various editorial roles as an assistant producer for the show Sports Planet at Zee Sports and Ten Sports, sub-editor at Hindustan Times, chief sub-editor at Dainik Jagran and as a senior correspondent at Network 18 Media and Investments Ltd. He was also the editor of Campus Magazine and Special Projects at Oman Tribune in Muscat.