Image source: Mint, AQI.in and TOI; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   Delhi’s air breached the “severe plus” category on Sunday for the first time this winter — with a 24-hour average air quality index of 461 — making it the second worst AQI reading for December since the system was launched in April 2015. This is not just the case with Delhi as AQI is poor across the country with several major cities not in the safe pollution limits. A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health last December estimated that long-term exposure to polluted air contributes to roughly 15 lakh additional deaths in India each year compared with a scenario in which the country met the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended safe-exposure limits. Hot off the Press The average number was only a glimpse of the crisis as at least three stations maxed out at the 500-mark at various points on the day. CPCB classifies air quality as “moderate” when

  The Government of India said that it has provided financial assistance to 402 journalists and media personnel, or their families, under the Journalists Welfare Scheme (JWS) between 2014 and 2025. The information was shared in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan while responding to questions from Arvind Ganpat Sawant and Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh. Murugan, reiterated government commitment towards welfare of media professionals, stating that journalists accredited with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) are eligible for Central Government Health Scheme facilities across the country. These benefits also extend to their family members and cover treatment at government hospitals and CGHS-empanelled private hospitals at CGHS rates. “Under the Journalists Welfare Scheme, one-time ex gratia support is offered to journalists or their families in cases of extreme hardship, including death, permanent disability or major illnesses. Assistance

A group of leading Australian science communicators has urged Communications Minister Anika Wells to fund a high-quality, safe digital space for children under 16 as the national social-media ban takes effect. The group includes Australian Science Communicators’ CEO Phil Dooley, Refraction Media’s Jasmine Fellows, Science Journalists Association of Australia President Jackson Ryan, and former Curiosity Show Host Dr Rob Morrison.  Both Fellows and Morrison spoke to Influencing, with the former remarking that the letter is, “encouraging the government to look at establishing or funding a safe digital home for Australian children and teens… This ban from December 10th, students can't create or keep accounts on key social media platforms.  “We thought there was an opportunity to create a place to encourage children to go - something positive going into that potential void to help them work in this digital space. “This is all a part of ensuring there is a healthy democr

ABC Radio listeners in Perth are getting significantly improved audio quality when ABC Radio Perth, ABC NewsRadio and Radio National make the switch from AM transmission to FM in early 2026.  This follows the outcome of The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) proposal to vary the Perth and Remote Western Australia radio licence area plans. ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks said the move to FM would deliver a major boost for audiences: “We are excited by this rare opportunity to improve the quality of the ABC’s services to our audiences in Perth. “We have long been aware of the challenges of AM reception in Perth. With FM, audiences can enjoy richer sound and more reliable broadcasts, ensuring they stay connected to the programs they love. ABC Director Audio Ben Latimer echoed Mr Marks sentiment: “We are excited by this rare opportunity to fix a long-standing audio quality issue that is uniqu

Morning, welcome to Monday and a sombre series of front pages today as attention focusses on the terrorism attack at Bondi last night. Well done to the print dailies and their hardworking journalists, designers, sub-editors and phhotographers managing such extensive coverage, given the time of the event in the early evening and tight deadlines.  Obviously digital media was rolling live and there was very good - and importantly, reliable - coverage from the ABC, Guardian Australia and News.com.au which continues this morning as more details become clear.   In print, The Australian led with an appropriately funereal-looking front page. 'Massacre of Jews' reads the all-caps headline and its sub-head of 'at least 10 dead, 16 injured' points to the early coverage and known fatalities and injured as the paper went to print. Elizabeth Pike, Stephen Rice and Liam Mendes led The Oz's reporting with Jacquelin Magnay and

India Today has launched the 3C Project, a platform designed to shift polarised conversations toward constructive, empathy-led dialogue. Instead of debates, 3C brings together people with contrasting experiences for honest, meaningful exchanges. The debut episode on X focused on caste reservation and generated strong engagement among younger audiences. According to Adgully, India Today took the discussion further by hosting an X Space on 8 December with Managing Editor Marya Shakil, drawing more than 1,000 live participants and strong replay traction. The conversation later continued on Newstrack. Through 3C, India Today aims to build a steady forum for fact-based, constructive national dialogue across its digital and broadcast platforms.