Image credit @sidhant As journalists arrive in New Delhi to cover the 18th BRICS Summit, the first introduction to India may not come through a briefing room or a diplomatic speech, but through a media kit carrying products from different parts of the country. The two-day summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13, bringing together leaders of the expanded BRICS grouping. As around 1,200-1,300 journalists from India and abroad converge on the capital, the Ministry of External Affairs has curated a media kit that offers visiting journalists a glimpse of India’s regional food and craft traditions. The kit brings together Bihar’s sattu and makhana, coffee from Koraput in Odisha and handicrafts from Gujarat, turning a routine press kit into a small showcase of India’s cultural diversity. The initiative is part of the MEA’s effort to use the summit’s international media presence to showcase what Vasudev Ravi, OSD, Public Relations, described as the “Ind

AI Generated Image Social media metrics -- views, likes, shares, watch time -- are increasingly shaping what journalists report, with some reporters now expected to produce several stories a day to hit engagement targets, according to a recent News Decoder report. The report, based on interviews with women journalists in India and accounts from other countries, found that algorithms are influencing story selection, presentation and even how journalists conduct interviews, with some reporters saying emotionally charged stories are prioritised because they draw more viewers. It also pointed to a steep cost: a 2020 UNESCO-ICFJ study found that 73% of women journalists worldwide had experienced online violence, and a more recent UN Women survey found the figure had risen to three in four, with 42% saying the abuse escalated into offline harassment or physical threats. Editors across Indian newsrooms say the pressure is real but so is the discipline required to resist it. Tejinder Sing

Concept Public Relations India Ltd (Concept PR), part of the Concept Group, has won the Silver Award for Best Place of Work at the BW People HR Excellence Awards – 11th Edition.   The recognition followed an evaluation process that received more than 150 nominations, with 127 organisations shortlisted across various categories. Concept PR was recognised for its approach to building a workplace that encourages ownership, learning, collaboration and individual growth while maintaining high performance standards.   Ashish Jalan, managing director, Concept PR India Ltd, said the recognition reflects the culture built by its people and the agency’s focus on creating an environment where employees can take ownership, speak their minds and grow.  Smita Pednekar, Senior Vice President, Concept PR India Ltd, said the organisation focuses on strengthening talent through trust, ownership and the freedom to challenge convention.  The award also highlights Conc

Power bills vs executive pay: Ausgrid “champagne toast” backlash Ausgrid is under fire after claims executives handed themselves hefty pay rises off the back of strong profits while customers face close to 10% increases in network charges. The story taps into cost-of-living anger and renews scrutiny of how essential utilities are regulated and rewarded. Covered by: Daily Telegraph. Recession alarm: Treasury models downturn as global borrowing costs surge Federal Treasury is reportedly stress-testing the risk of recession as global bond yields, inflation and oil prices rise, with market volatility linked to US fiscal settings and a massive wave of data-centre investment. The significance is twofold: higher global rates can quickly lift Australian mortgage and business borrowing costs, and it sharpens the political stakes for the government’s next budget and economic narrative. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald. Extremism program in doubt: leaked figures say participants got �

Munsif English Daily relaunched in Hyderabad, with Congress Party Karwan Assembly constituency in-charge Usman Bin Mohammed Al Hajri congratulating Mohammed Abdul Jaleel, Editor-in-Chief of the Munsif Group of Publications, on the occasion. Al Hajri felicitated Abdul Jaleel with a shawl and bouquet and extended his wishes for the newspaper’s continued growth and success. Several Congress leaders and workers were also present. The meeting also recalled the contribution of the late Dr. Khan Latif Mohammed Khan to Hyderabad’s journalistic history and his association with Munsif Urdu. Those present highlighted his commitment to factual reporting, public awareness and responsible journalism. The English edition was described as a continuation of Munsif’s journalistic legacy, aimed at taking its values and public-oriented approach to a wider readership.    

The Allahabad High Court has stayed an FIR against journalist Amit Yadav for reporting alleged poor infrastructure at a government school in Lucknow, calling the action prima facie retaliatory and akin to “killing the messenger”. A bench of Justices Abdul Moin and Pramod Kumar Srivastava said authorities should have examined the shortcomings reported by Yadav instead of treating the matter as an “ego issue”. Yadav had reported on August 20 that a government school had shabby toilets, no drinking water and other deficiencies. An FIR was later registered against him, alleging unauthorised entry, disruption of classes and compelling teachers to speak about the school. The court also directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Basic Education, Uttar Pradesh, to submit a report on the school’s present condition, The Indian Express reported.  

A journalist in Jehanabad, Bihar, was allegedly abused, threatened with death, and asked to pay Rs 2 lakh after raising questions about the use of a private vehicle for official duties. According to Dainik Bhaskar, journalist Ajit Kumar Dutta, who has reported from Jehanabad for national newspapers and channels for over 15 years, confronted the Jeevika in-charge (administrative official) of Ghoshi block regarding the use of a Scorpio with a private registration number for government work. Following this, the vehicle’s driver, Sikandar Kumar, allegedly called Dutta, hurled abuses, and issued death threats. The journalist further claimed that Kumar called again the next day, demanding 2 lakh and warning of consequences if the vehicle was harmed. Police have registered a case at the Jehanabad City Police Station based on Dutta’s complaint and have launched an investigation into the matter.