No one single theme runs through our national dailies today so let's start with an important one for both journalists and democracy, aswell as a backdrop to the threats journalists increasingly face in today's world. The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald (both with a striking front page picture of a man who was there) carry an in-depth piece by Kate Aubusson and Kate Geraghty on The Balibo Five, a story most of us should be aware, but let's have a brief recap, given it happened before many of us were born.  Fifty years ago today - hence the story - five Australian journalists were killed by Indonesian special forces in East Timor where the young journos had been sent by their news organisations to cover the impending invasion by Indonesia. The journos were shot and stabbed and killed by the Indonesian forces, despite clearly signalling they were Australian. They were Seven News reporter Greg Shackleton, 29, camerman Gary Cunningham, 27, sound recordist Tony Stewart, 21, Nine

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has released a detailed report on mechanisms to curb fake news, relating to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, on October 13, 2025. In its 22nd report, the Committee argues that fake news creators, including individuals, groups and AI content generators, spread misinformation across boundaries. The report makes it clear that the underlying problem of spreading fake news is not only who does that, but also why. Manipulative headlines and fabricated videos aim to maximise clicks, increase followers and drive revenue. The committee observed that many groups deliberately engage in this behaviour for financial and ideological motives, both of which are reinforced by social media algorithms that amplify sensationalism. “Since there is a need for amending the existing Acts/Rules/Guidelines related to Print Media for tackling the issue of ‘Fake News’, the Committee have recommended the Minis

Image source: The National Bulletin and The Indian Express; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   In a stunning twist in Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar’s “suicide case”, another police officer — who was part of the team investigating Kumar in a corruption case — died by suicide Tuesday after levelling serious allegations against the former Rohtak IG. Assistant sub-inspector Sandeep Kumar, who was with the Rohtak cyber cell, left a three-page suicide note and a video making serious allegations against Y Puran Kumar. Hot off the Press Sandeep was found dead in a tubewell room in his maternal uncle’s farm in Ladhot village, on the outskirts of Rohtak, reported Ajay Sura for The Times of India. "Puran Kumar died by suicide only to avoid family humiliation,” Sandeep claimed in the video and suicide note, which he too termed as a “final note”, the way the IPS officer had before allegedly shooting himself dead on Oct 7. He also claimed that Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur was a

Independent journalist Smita Sharma has earned widespread appreciation for fearlessly raising the issue of Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui’s killing with the Taliban leadership. During a recent press conference, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki expressed regret over the killing of journalists, including Siddiqui, during the 2021 conflict in Afghanistan. The Mumbai Press Club (MPC) commended Sharma for bringing up the sensitive issue and keeping the demand for justice and accountability alive. “Raising such an important issue with the Taliban leadership helps ensure that the call for justice for Danish Siddiqui is not forgotten,” the MPC said in a statement on its social media handle. The press club further remarked that while the Taliban’s acknowledgment was “noted,” it remains “grossly inadequate.” It urged the Government of India to take serious note of the matter and formally seek an unconditional apology from the Taliban

The Journalist Recreation Club (JRC), formed in October 2020 with the simple yet meaningful goal of giving journalists a space to bond and rejuvenate beyond the newsroom, celebrated its sixth Foundation Day on Sunday. Sharing details of the initiative with Influencing India, Abhishek Day, Founding Secretary and the current General Secretary of JRC, said, “JRC was created to promote camaraderie among journalists and provide a social platform for them to connect beyond work, while also facilitating informal interactions with government officials from different sectors.” Mr. Day added that the club has been growing steadily and now has 23 active members. “Besides recreational activities, JRC has also been undertaking social welfare initiatives. This year, we decided to recognise the unsung heroes of the sporting world — the ground staff — who play a vital role in maintaining sports infrastructure,” he said. As part of this year’s Foundation Day celebration, JRC felicita

It’s been one year since Reviews.org journalist Fergus Halliday launched his gaming newsletter Multiplier, and the project has become one of the most distinctive voices in Australia’s gaming media. Reflecting on the milestone, Halliday told Influencing the experience has been both creatively and professionally rewarding. “I'm pretty happy with it. It's been awesome to see people get behind the project,” he said. “On a professional level, it's been really gratifying to focus on a specific audience and niche format and watch that audience steadily grow over time.” Since its launch, Multiplier’s subscriber base has grown by around 3% each month, with a strong 60% open rate, which are impressive metrics for an independent publication. Halliday said the newsletter’s success has also made it easier to explain the project to PRs and potential collaborators. “I’ve done a few experiments with the format,” he said. “Not all have been massive successes, but they’v

After the euphoria yesterday as hostages and prisoners returned home, and with the dust barely settled, perhaps unsurprisingly there is coverage today around whether the peace will hold. The Australian once again devotes a big team to follow the latest developments.  Associate Editor Jamie Walker even makes a front page appearance - or at least his byline does - as he covers the emotional return of the hostages, ('Alone, tortured, starved: hostages recount ordeal'), while the team who have been on this since day one - Cameron Stewart, Noah Yim and Richard Ferguson, among others - do a great job with the main lead which in part says Donald Trump, "basked in one of the greatest foreign policy successes of a US president since the first Gulf War". Something tells me Mr Trump will not be letting us forget lines like that, and yes they'll be more as he no doubt continues to bask, though to be fair getting this peace deal this far is a big deal. The Oz even has the President focussi