The demand for a pension scheme for retired and soon-to-retire journalists has gained momentum in Odisha, with the Senior Journalists Association holding a zonal conference in Sambalpur on Sunday. Journalists from Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Subarnapur, Balangir and Boudh attended the conference organised under the aegis of the Sambalpur District Journalists Association. Senior Journalists Association state president Kahnu Charan Nanda said a pension scheme was necessary to provide financial security to retired journalists. He said similar schemes were already in place in around 19 states and Union territories and urged the Odisha government to introduce one in the state. The association has been pursuing the demand with the government since 2022 and had also approached the Orissa High Court. The court directed the state government to introduce a pension scheme. Following non-compliance, the association filed a contempt petition. On June 23, the High Court gave the g

Young people are relying on digital creators rather than traditional media to follow political discourse, according to new research from Griffith University. Titled Democracy in our Feeds, the research examined 564 political creator posts published in the lead-up to the 2025 federal election and explored audience responses through a survey and focus groups. Creators not only out-published traditional media four to one, but audiences "rated them the most influential political content they encountered". However, with that influence comes responsibility, and young adult audiences told the study they wanted binding standards on how they operate. Dr Susan Grantham (above) from the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research who partnered with the Sentiment Agency on the study said young people experienced political content very differently. “It’s important to respond to this shift because regardless of whether we like the idea, creators are now an integral part of the democ

Bathla collapse jolts housing supply — and spooks private credit Sydney developer Bathla Group entering voluntary administration has left off-the-plan buyers and unfinished projects in limbo, while raising broader questions about NSW and national housing supply targets. The failure is also rippling through private credit markets, with lenders reassessing exposure to highly leveraged property groups at a time when governments are banking on construction to ease the housing crunch. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review, The Australian. Albanese turns up the heat on states over the AI build-out Anthony Albanese is pressing Queensland to back a national plan for AI-era data centres, standards and regulation ahead of national cabinet talks, framing it as essential economic infrastructure. The push is also tied to broader federal-state bargaining, with the PM warning premiers to meet funding commitments on the NDIS and other agreements. Covered by: Sydney Mornin

Paoninlkhon Daily, an Imphal-based evening newspaper, celebrated its 36th Foundation Day at Usha Hall Complex in Paona Bazaar. The event was attended by All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) president Ashem Bhakta as chief guest and advocate Chongtham Romen as guest of honour, while editor CH Meghabarna presided over the programme.   Cash awards were presented to Takhelambam Asem Chandrasekhar, Pukhrambam Lamjingba and W. Inaotcha for their contributions during the year.   Bhakta appreciated the newspaper for continuing its service despite the growth of digital media, while Romen stressed the importance of fact-checking and accuracy in journalism. Meghabarna said the newspaper had continued to serve the public despite various challenges and sought continued support from readers.

  The Federation of Press Clubs, a national platform representing eight Press Clubs from across the country, was formally launched in Hyderabad on Saturday, August 22, by Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. The Federation aims to strengthen cooperation among Press Clubs and work towards the safety, welfare and professional interests of journalists. Speaking at the launch, Bhatti Vikramarka stressed the need for a free press that questions those in power and said governments should have the courage to accept criticism. “The media has a responsibility to question discrimination. Journalism should not merely report incidents but also question their deeper implications,” he said. He said the Federation should evolve into a strong institution that protects journalists, particularly those working in districts and small towns. He also said the State government was examining the proposal for land allotment to the Press Club of Hyderabad and assured that it would

Live Times, positioned as India’s first global multicast news hub, has completed two years of operations, marking a milestone in its journey to deliver news and information to audiences in India and abroad. Influencing India had earlier hosted media entrepreneur and Live Times founder and CEO Dilip Singh for an Insider conversation a year ago, where he spoke in depth about his journey and vision for the news hub. Launched with a focus on accuracy, authenticity and credibility, the platform has established a presence in India’s evolving digital news landscape, with an emphasis on keeping truth at the centre of its journalism. Live Times has developed a newsroom approach that seeks to balance speed, reach and audience engagement while maintaining editorial credibility. Over the past two years, the platform has focused on delivering news across multiple formats and reaching audiences beyond conventional geographic boundaries.    

The Dainik Bhaskar Group has launched a free training-cum-job programme to train and recruit digital journalists at the district, block and panchayat levels across Bihar. The programme will cover mobile journalism, video production, social media tools and digital content writing, with top-performing candidates getting an opportunity to work with the group.  Working journalists, social media influencers, journalism students and newspaper agents are eligible to apply. To apply:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKVWIW00Uly7GNbzVOwWMeELigSdSYAydhLpkFt7ikVrNllg/viewform