For a government that routinely mocks the so-called Khan Market ecosystem, the Modi administration has grown strikingly comfortable outsourcing its messaging to urban, English-speaking influencers. In March 2024, DD National premiered India in Motion, a glossy documentary series showcasing the government’s work on roads, railways, and aviation. The face of the series was Kamiya Jani, one of India’s most recognisable travel influencers. Within hours of broadcast, the same episodes appeared on private YouTube channels linked to her media network. That single move triggered internal objections, raised questions of contract violation, and eventually ended in a quiet settlement by Prasar Bharati, India’s public broadcaster. Basant Kumar’s reporting for Newslaundry shows why this episode matters far beyond one television show. At the centre of the controversy lies a Rs 6.09-crore taxpayer-funded contract, two media companies and paperwork that appears to have been signed mont

Veteran consumer tech journo Alex Kidman is feeling honoured, albeit a little bit old he jokes, after being awarded the Kester Lifetime Achievement Award at the Consensus IT Writers Awards. “I've been very privileged, having the people I've been able to work with over the years, considering what's happened in consumer tech media, because sadly, there's a lot that doesn't exist anymore,” Kidman told Influencing.  “There are many opportunities that I had as a young and middle-aged journalist that aren't there anymore for new and upcoming journalists.” Having been a consumer tech journalist for over 25 years, Kidman said it was nice recognition to show “consumer tech journalism matters”. “There are very few consumer-first journalists who've won the award, so I love that it's recognition of what's done on the consumer end, and that it isn't meaningless. It has a lot of value for people.  Awarded last Monday night, Kidman said there had been many positive influences o

Morning and welcome to Thursday.  When a shocking event like the Bondi massacre occurs, politicians and particularly the PM of the day is also in the spotlight and in Albo's case while he is being measured and as calm as anyone can be in the circumstances, seeking to promote calm and strength by the looks of it, that is also being seen as a weakness by opposition politicians and much of the media, though there are shades and nuance in some of the coverage. Not too much in the shade though is The Daily Telegraph with a strident front page headline this morning and a story by Jessica Wang which makes the point the PM has not, so far at least, turned up at any of the funerals now taking place. A resonable person may say he's right to keep away and let folks grieve over loved ones, but as always it's about the optics. Either way, the PM's strive for calm and compassion is being weaponised by some opposing politicians too. . The DT carr

The inaugural VOICE Fellowship for journalists commenced at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, on Tuesday. The five‑day residential programme, held from December 16 to 20 under the institute’s CARE Project, focuses on climate, environment and public‑health communication. The opening day featured a science exhibition and a panel discussion with Saurja DasGupta (University of Notre Dame), Argha Manna (IIT Gandhinagar), Shalini Sharma (IISER Pune) and journalist Nidhi Jamwal. Speakers stressed the growing need for accessible science communication and inclusive storytelling that reflects ground realities, especially in climate and environmental reporting. IISER Pune Director Sunil S. Bhagwat said the fellowship supports the institute’s goal of strengthening informed public discourse. The first cohort includes over 40 grassroots journalists and storytellers from across India. The programme will continue with sessions led by experts inclu

  The Sindh High Court’s Hyderabad circuit bench has dismissed a petition by 23 individuals seeking residential plots in the Hyderabad Journalists Colony, ruling that only Hyderabad Press Club members are entitled to the allotments. The court noted that the Sindh government had leased 75 acres to the Press Club in 2009 exclusively for its members and said the petitioners—who had formed an unregistered “National Press Club”—failed to prove any legal right to the land. The bench also directed the Sindh Information Department to strictly enforce the Sindh Government Accreditation Rules, 2010, ensuring accreditation cards are issued only to genuine, full‑time journalists. The petition was dismissed, The Express Tribune reported.

The Bhojpur district unit of the Web Journalists Association of India (WJAI) was formally constituted at a meeting held in Ara, with Azad Kumar Bharti elected president and O.P. Pandey appointed secretary through a unanimous and democratic process. The meeting, focused on strengthening the organisation and safeguarding the interests of digital and web journalists. It was chaired by Bihar in-charge Madhup Mani Pinku, while the election process was conducted under the supervision of National Joint Secretary Mithilesh Mishra. Azad Kumar Bharti, editor of Sanmarg and ATN News Channel, was unanimously elected president of the Bhojpur unit. O.P. Pandey, senior content editor at Patna Now and Bhojpur bureau member of Sahara Samay Digital, was unanimously chosen as secretary. Addressing the gathering, Pinku highlighted the need for journalists to remain united in the digital era to protect their rights and ensure fearless and unbiased reporting. Mishra said WJAI continues to work for the