Rolling Stone ANZ Editor-in-Chief Neil Griffiths has described working at the masthead as his dream job. “Ten years ago, or even when I started doing community radio, working at a publication like Rolling Stone is something that you only dream of,” Griffiths shared on Influencing Insider last Wednesday.  “Getting to play a part in this brand's iconic legacy is something I don't take for granted at all.”  Griffiths joined Rolling Stone in January 2025, after spending time at Mumbrella, Momentum Media, theMusic.com.au and Daily Mail in addition to a 10-month stint in New York across 2022 and 2023. He said the masthead’s content pillars are film, music, TV, comedy, theatre, culture and politics, delivered through its UnCut podcast, daily newsletter and print edition. For the masthead, a story must have a clear and defining hook.  “The story of whoever you’re interviewing is really key because, often, you have to remember if you interview a band or an artist who i

Swans rocked by alleged hotel sexual assault investigation Victoria Police have questioned several Sydney Swans players over an alleged sexual assault at a Melbourne hotel, plunging the club into crisis on the eve of finals. The story has major sporting and reputational stakes, with the AFL and club weighing whether players should be stood down and what sanctions may follow. Covered by: Herald Sun, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, The Advertiser, Courier Mail, The Mercury, The Australian. Housing tax changes spark rent-rise warnings and mortgage slump claims National Australia Bank is warning rents could jump sharply over the next two years, linking the pressure to the federal government’s removal of key property investor tax concessions. In Queensland, the debate is being framed as a “housing tax crash”, with claims the changes are already hitting mortgage demand—setting up a politically charged fight over affordability, supply and who bears the costs. Cover

A 32-year-old reporter associated with YouTube channel SNZ News was arrested by Mehdipatnam police in Hyderabad in connection with an alleged assault and intimidation of a minor, Hyderabad Mail reported. The accused, identified by police as Arif Hussain, a resident of Tolichowki, allegedly used his position as a media reporter to intimidate the minor before the incident escalated into an assault. Based on a complaint, police registered a case against Hussain under Sections 64(2)(m) and 123 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 7 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Hussain was produced before a court and remanded in judicial custody. Mehdipatnam Inspector S. Mallesh urged the public not to be intimidated by individuals who misuse their positions or titles. He also appealed to people to report such incidents immediately by calling Dial-112.     Image credits: Hyderabad Mail    

Journalists covering the TVK government’s maiden Vetri Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2026 in Chennai were allegedly denied entry to the venue and made to wait outside until Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had left, prompting condemnation from the Chennai Press Club.   The one-day conclave, held on August 13, was intended to showcase Tamil Nadu as an investment destination, but restrictions on media access became a point of contention among journalists covering the event.   Janardhan Koushik, Bureau Chief, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, PTI Videos, said journalists were kept outside the venue for nearly 40 minutes.   “When we went to cover the event, journalists were not even allowed to enter the premises. We were made to stand outside and were allowed in only after the Chief Minister left,” Koushik said.   When journalists questioned Law Minister C T R Nirmal Kumar about the restrictions, he reportedly cited space constraints and difficulties in accommodating a large

When Prism News emailed Allan Leibowitz in late July to suggest he share an AI-rewritten version of his own reporting with his digitalDrummer readership, it may just have been an Australian publication’s first contact with AI-generated ‘pink slime’. However, it’s unlikely to be the last time an Australian media outlet finds its content scraped and repurposed by entrepreneurial types keen to use AI to create content at minimal cost.   An expert investigator While researching its recent story on Leibowitz and his experience with Prism News, Influencing crossed paths with Emily Horne, who was also in the process of investigating Prism.      Horne is a former US State Department employee. Her day job is running the Washington comms agency she founded four years ago, after departing a senior spokesperson role in the Biden White House. In her spare time, she writes Spin Class, a Substack on the intersection of communications, journalis

The 2026 Logie Awards have seen Sam Pang win the Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television, the night’s top award, while several major honours recognised leading figures and programs across news, current affairs and sports broadcasting. Pang was presented with the Gold Logie by Magda Szubanski in character as Sharon Strzelecki. Jelena Dokic won the Bruce McAvaney Award for Most Popular Sports Presenter, while Ally Langdon took the Ray Martin Award for Most Popular News or Public Affairs Presenter. Robert Irwin won the Bert Newton Award for Most Popular Presenter. In the news and public affairs categories, 7NEWS and Sunrise won Best News Coverage or Public Affairs Report for their coverage of the Bondi terror attack, while Australian Story was named Best Current Affairs Program. The ABC’s The Assembly won Best Factual or Documentary Program, and the Australian Open 2026 took out Best Sports Coverage. The Logies Hall of Fame also recognised three

  Rajasthan's media fraternity has objected to an August 16 order from the state Education Department barring any audio or video recording, or interaction with outsiders, on school premises without prior written permission from school authorities. Journalists have questioned the order's timing, pointing to recent reporting on conditions in government schools that they say may have prompted the restriction. The circular directs government schools in Rajasthan to strictly regulate the entry of outsiders and prohibits photography, videography, interviews, audio recording and live streaming of students, teachers or school activities without the principal’s prior written permission. It also requires visitors to make entries in registers and bars unauthorised access to classrooms, laboratories, libraries, playgrounds and other student activity areas. The directive cites the need to protect children’s safety, dignity and privacy and allows schools to seek police assistance in case