Ashwani Kumar, former president of the Press Club of Jammu and president of the Jammu and Kashmir Accredited Journalists Association (JAKAJA), has raised concerns over declining journalistic ethics and the alleged misuse of journalistic identity for intimidation and blackmail. Kumar said the issue required urgent attention from media organisations, journalists’ bodies, the government and law-enforcement agencies. He expressed concern over reports that the Jammu Newspapers Editors Guild had flagged instances of individuals posing as editors and journalists allegedly intimidating and blackmailing people in Jammu and Kashmir. “Journalism is not a licence to threaten people, malign reputations or extract money by using the fear of adverse publicity. Anyone who uses a camera, microphone, social-media account or online news portal to intimidate people for personal or financial gain must face lawful scrutiny,” Kumar said. Citing the Press Council of India’s Norms

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 #1  ·  Front Page  ·  Ground report / Breaking news 3 killed in Manipur, protesters take bodies of 2 to CM's house By Prabin Kalita   ·   The Times of India, New Delhi  ·  Page Page 1 Three Meitei villagers were shot dead and several others wounded in a suspected militant ambush on the Imphal East–Kangpokpi border, reigniting ethnic tensions in the valley. Protesters carried two of the bodies to a sit-in outside Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh's official residence, forcing security forces to fire tear gas; the CM convened an emergency security review and ordered reinforced deployment in vulnerable areas. The killings — the first involving the Meitei community since January — came alongside a late-Sunday stray-bullet death in Thoubal and a separate IED attack that wounded three CRPF personnel. Bylined Guwahati-based correspondent with clear field intelligen

Two journalists have died within days of each other in Uttar Pradesh and Assam, in separate incidents. In Hapur, Mohammad Naseem Ahmad, bureau chief of the Hindi daily Dainik Janvani, died after he was allegedly beaten at a flour mill where he had gone to seek an advertisement. In Assam's Bongaigaon district, senior video journalist Sukhendu Rai Choudhury was found dead in a forest 11 days after he went missing. Ahmad, 60, visited a flour mill on Jarouthi Road in Hapur on the afternoon of October 18 with associates, seeking a Diwali advertisement for the newspaper. According to eyewitness Salauddin, mill owner Ashok Kumar Gupta refused the advertisement and called the group "fake journalists" as they were leaving. The confrontation escalated, and a group of seven to eight people allegedly assaulted Ahmad and his associates. The FIR is based on a complaint by Ahmad's son-in-law, Dr Shahrukh. He says his wife called him at around 2:15 pm to tell him her father had

Democracy under attack: MP Helen Haines critically injured in car strike Independent MP Helen Haines is in a critical condition after being deliberately struck by a vehicle outside her Wangaratta electorate office, triggering a counter-terrorism response and a national security investigation. The incident has jolted Canberra and sharpened concerns about escalating political violence and the safety of elected representatives, with rivals publicly rallying behind Haines. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian, Courier Mail, Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Advertiser, The West Australian. Minns moves to override planning rules to expand Hunter coal mine NSW Premier Chris Minns is preparing standalone legislation to enable MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant coal mine expansion after a High Court ruling, arguing it is necessary to protect jobs and investment. Critics say it sets a major precedent for bypassing planning laws and environmental scrutiny, reigniting the

Daily Mail Plus’ Wealth and Workplace Reporter Madeline Damo says she’s more productive handling PR pitches over the phone than by email.  She made the observation in response to an audience question on last Thursday’s Influencing Insider, where she also outlined how PRs can best help her create stories.  “Understanding what I write, and because I do write paywalled content, the stories that I’m looking for are stories that people will subscribe to that can’t be found anywhere else,” she told Influencing.  She added that press releases were great, but said that “looking for a new angle to go beyond that press release and find a new way that this story can be told with new details that can’t be found anywhere else” was also helpful.  To stand out in her inbox, a new angle or fresh details are key, Damo said, while a less polished press release can also attract her attention.  “The more organic it feels – that always stands out, whether it's for better

Andrew Colley has left his full-time reporting role at iTnews, as part of a NextMedia restructuring, but is expected to continue writing for the publication in a freelance capacity. “I have finished my permanent role with NextMedia due to a broader restructure under way at the company,” Colley told Influencing. “I am returning to the successful freelance writing and consulting business I ran prior to joining NextMedia. I will remain connected with the iTnews and NextMedia team and expect to work with them on suitable freelance projects going forward.” NextMedia CEO Arek Widawski confirmed that Colley’s departure was a result of a “broader restructure underway at NextMedia”. “Andrew has made a strong contribution to iTnews, and we’re very grateful for everything he has brought to the team.” Colley’s departure leaves the editorial load for iTnews on the shoulders of editor Ry Crozier and New Zealand-based contributo

When Influencing spoke to Bruno Bouchet ahead of the August launch of Kyle Sandilands Live (KSL), Sandilands’ manager said that while the new show would be ad-free, that did not necessarily mean brand-free. The subscription show, he said, was “definitely open to the right partnerships or the right giveaways or segments that would make sense.” Two months in, PRs now know what that looks like. A new segment sends members of the KSL team to PR and influencer events, screenings and red carpets, with the highlights reported back on air the following morning. “It’s more organic client integration, if you will,” says executive producer Jaimee Blazquez. “It’s all meant to look organic. We don’t want it to look commercial.” The first outing set the tone. The team went to a launch party for a new condom brand, had the company send in its strongest as well as thinnest products so they could “find out for ourselves”, sp