Croft's time up at Reckoner
By Craig Daveson in Media News on Monday, 13th May 2019 at 11:33amReckoner founder and co-editor James Croft has decided to step back from his work at the independent Aussie tech site.
Speaking to Influencing, Croft explained that he decided to take a break because he is soon to become a parent.
“Reckoner has always been my after-hours project (I have a full-time gig elsewhere) so it felt like the right time,” said Croft.
Reckoner first began in 2013 when Niche Media jettisoned staff from its MacTalk website, leading Croft, Peter Wells and Anthony Agius to form Reckoner.
At the time, Croft told ITJourno: “We're not chasing the breaking news scene… I think we'll do a very small amount of content compared to most other sites, but we will do it really well — they'll be big, they&...To continue reading this article...
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Assam-based journalist Saidul Islam passes away
By Staff Writer in Media News on Tuesday, 02nd December 2025 at 10:15pm
Saidul Islam, a senior journalist from Diphu, Assam, passed away suddenly in Sikkim on Sunday, November 30, following a cardiac arrest. Islam was the founder of the news portal Hills View Today and served as a correspondent for Gana Adhikar. He had also been associated with ETV Bharat and Assam Times Post throughout his journalism career, Northeastlivetv reported.
Islam had traveled to Sikkim for a short leisure trip accompanied by several senior journalists.
The group visited a waterfall and after returning to his hotel, Islam suffered a sudden cardiac
arrest around 12:40 pm and was rushed to the nearest hospital by colleagues where he reportedly passed away.
Statue unveiled in Bihar honouring late journalist Bablu Paswa
By Staff Writer in Media News on Tuesday, 02nd December 2025 at 10:12pm
On the second death anniversary of late journalist Bablu Paswan, a statue in his memory was unveiled at his native village, Vishanpur in Bihar. The ceremony was attended by his family, friends, and well-wishers, alongside dignitaries including Obra MLA Dr Prakash Chandra and Arwal MLA Manoj Sharma.
Speaking at the event, the leaders noted that Bablu had a reputation for unbiased reporting and his commitment to social causes. Beyond his professional work, Bablu was widely respected for his humanitarian spirit, having saved numerous lives as a regular voluntary blood donor, Hindustan Line reported.
Hyderabad media delegation begins seven-day Assam tour under PIB programme
By Staff Writer in Media News on Tuesday, 02nd December 2025 at 10:10pm
A 13-member media delegation from Hyderabad has embarked on a seven-day visit to Assam under the Media Outreach Programme organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Hyderabad. The tour, which began on Sunday, November 30, is designed to give journalists firsthand exposure to Central Government schemes, Assam’s cultural heritage, and major development projects.
The delegation was welcomed in Guwahati by Pavni Gupta, Joint Director, PIB Guwahati, with the traditional Bodo Aronai. Later, Kripa Shankar Yadav, Additional Director General, PIB North East Zone, briefed the team on the objectives of the programme.
The itinerary spans diverse sectors including textiles, waterways, industry, wildlife conservation, rural livelihoods, and culture. On Day 1, the team visited Sualkuchi, the renowned silk village, where they interacted with the North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC). Managing Director Mara Kocho explained the corporation’s
INSIDER | Arunava Banerjee: The Cartographer of Stories
By Pragadish Kirubakaran in Media News on Tuesday, 02nd December 2025 at 6:21pm
When Arunava Banerjee describes himself, he doesn’t reach for the usual journalistic labels. He doesn’t say reporter, editor, creative, or content strategist. He calls himself something far more poetic: a cartographer — someone who maps worlds, connects pathways, and charts meaning for people who may never visit those worlds themselves. It’s an unusually introspective way of seeing journalism, but in many ways, it fits him perfectly.
Across a decade-long journey that has swung from the newsroom of The Statesman in Siliguri to the algorithm-heavy chaos of Republic World, from consulting and sub-editing at Aadhan Media to the hope-filled ecosystem of The Better India, Arunava has kept one compass steady: the story must matter.
And the man mapping these worlds didn’t begin with a degree in journalism at all.
When he walked into The Statesman’s Siliguri newsroom as a fresh graduate, he had no formal training, no plan and, by his own admission, &ldqu
How Gen Z is redesigning the way newsrooms think, talk and work
By Suganthi Marimuthu in Media News on Tuesday, 02nd December 2025 at 5:27pm
Gen Z is no longer just the audience — they’re inside newsrooms, shaping scripts, influencing tone, and redefining how stories are told. Their presence is visible across workplaces, social media, and editorial spaces, where a new vocabulary, work ethic, and creative rhythm are taking root. Even national leadership has taken note. While unveiling India’s first private orbital rocket, Vikram-1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the rise of “Gen Z startups,” underscoring how youth-led innovation is accelerating across sectors.
Influencing India examined how Gen Z language and behaviour are transforming newsrooms, corporate workflows, storytelling styles, and online communication. The shift is not superficial; it’s changing everything from tone and collaboration to how organisations frame their messaging.
Nona Walia, Consulting Editor at The Pioneer, said Gen Z slang now appears regularly in headlines, scripts, and social content. Expressions
TODAY'S TEN: SIR demand freezes Parliament, thaws no tempers
By Pragadish Kirubakaran, Pradeep Damodaran and Meena R Prashant in Media News on Tuesday, 02nd December 2025 at 4:03pm
Image source: Greater Kashmir; Edited by Dinesh Raj M
The winter session opened with the kind of turbulence that sets the tone for everything that follows. What should have been a short, business-heavy session quickly collapsed under a single, unresolved demand: an immediate debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. By the end of Day 1, both Houses stood adjourned, tempers ran high, and the stage was set for a bitter week ahead. Underneath the noise lies a deeper anxiety—trust, transparency, and an Election Commission exercise that continues to spark political suspicion.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Times of India captured the chaos inside Parliament, reporting how the Opposition disrupted Lok Sabha proceedings and staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha after the government refused to commit to a same-day debate on SIR. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju insisted the issue was under consideration but said the Opposition could not “dictate a
Lizzies return in 2026 with new awards and expanded industry recognition
By Staff Writer in Media News on Tuesday, 02nd December 2025 at 2:09pm
Influencing CEO Phil Sim at last year’s event.
Influencing has announced the return of the IT Journalism Awards - widely and fondly known as the Lizzies - with the 2026 ceremony locked in for Friday March 27 at Sydney’s Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf.
The annual celebration brings together technology reporters, editors, creators, and publishers to recognise excellence in Australian tech journalism. Entries for the 2026 awards open today, Tuesday December 2, and close on 6 February 2026.
Get your entries in now.
Peer-judged and independently run, the Lizzies will again honour standout reporting across 28 categories. This year’s program also expands to include five new awards, among them Best Editorial Series Coverage, Best Specialist Titles, and a new Gold Lizzie for Best Coverage.
Phil Sim, CEO of Influencing, said the additions reflect both the growth of the awards and the need to spotlight a broader spectrum of outlets.
“As the Lizzies have grown
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