Got a great podcast idea that’s been bubbling away? Whether you’re an aspiring creator or an experienced podcaster, SBS Audio wants to hear from you. Submissions are now open for fresh and original podcast pitches across broad topics – from news and sport, language and culture, to First Nations, food, and beyond. SBS Podcast Commissioning Editor, Joel Supple, said: “Whether you’re a seasoned podcaster or picking up the mic for the first time, the award-winning SBS Audio podcast team is ready to nourish your budding ideas. Shortlisted entries will receive guidance and production support to help develop their podcast from pitch to publication.” This year, SBS Audio is particularly interested in pitches exploring ideas around the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™ and Indigenous languages. But all themes and genres – big or small – are welcome. Last year’s national call-out attracted more than 200 submissions, leading to series like Love without Limits, Fallout: Spies

  WFH, WIO, WTF? Who knew that just what we needed was another polarising culture war? Come over here Gender and Identity. Pick up your step Race and History. What’s keeping you Free Speech vs Hate Speech? Hey, Immigration vs Border Control, get a move on. I want you all to meet the new guy: Work from Home vs Work in the Office. And it’s all kicking off in Victoria, WFH ground zero. As Sumeyya Iianbey reports in the Australian Financial Review today, Reece chief executive Peter Wilson has branded Victoria “the toughest place in the country to do business,” arguing you can’t unleash creativity over Zoom. Ilanbey reports Wilson saying “his Cremorne HQ once buzzed with energy” but now “we have struggled to get people to come into the office, and so if you don’t do that, you aren’t going to unleash the innovation part of your strategy.”  Wilson is the latest CEO to brand Victoria an economic laggard, as banks and toll-road bosses lament a fragile recove

Hisense India has appointed Adfactors PR as its strategic communications partner. Through this collaboration, the Hisense Group aims to improve its market visibility and elevate the brand's credibility in India. Adfactors will focus on driving impactful and innovative media communications, while amplifying influencer engagement across India. It will also strengthen Hisense India’s thought leadership on global consumer electronics trends and smart technology integration, while highlighting the brand’s product innovations and category expansion initiatives. Hisense India CEO Pankaj Rana said, “The consumer electronics market in India is highly competitive, with demand growing steadily due to rising disposable incomes, increased internet penetration, a tech-savvy youth population, and an expanding middle-class. In this dynamic landscape, effective brand storytelling is essential. Partnering with Adfactors PR gives us the right partner to shape and share our story. With strategic

Instagram has undoubtedly become the go-to medium not only for creators and influencers to reach millions of followers with their content. Recognising this power, several media houses, whether print or broadcast, have dedicated handles to connect with audiences creatively. Many also run segment-based handles catering to specific viewer interests. Joining this growing trend, the India Today Group has stepped in, announcing the launch of MO, an English-language Instagram-first platform, along with a new health and well-being vertical. According to BestMediaInfo, as announced by Vice-Chairperson Kalli Purie, the new segment will be launched on August 27, coinciding with Ganesh Chaturthi, celebrated across India. Purie said the launch of MO, an English, millennial-focused platform, is the latest offering from the India Today stable. She made the announcement during a podcast with ANI’s Editor-in-Chief, Smita Prakash. Explaining the timing, Purie said it was deliberate, as she believ

Image source: NDTV and ANI; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   In line with the vision of creating a formidable military capability to defend India’s military and civilian installations against aerial attacks, India successfully tested a new integrated air defence system consisting of a variety of weapons that shot down three targets at different altitudes and ranges off the coast of Odisha. Hot off the Press The maiden test of the integrated air defence weapon system (IADWS), which is expected to be a part of the bigger national security shield announced by the PM, was conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Saturday. The IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system consisting of quick reaction surface-to-air missiles (QRSAM), very short-range air defence system (VSHORADS) and a laser-based directed energy weapon, wrote Rahul Singh for Hindustan Times. The few countries that have mastered this technology to disable missiles, drones and smaller project

In a world where tech reviews often read like advertisements, journalist Munzir Ahmad has built Tech Tonic into a trusted podcast by doing the opposite: telling the truth, even when it hurts. His award-winning show stands out not because it chases hype, but because it treats audiences with honesty, depth and respect. Munzir is clear about what sets him apart: fairness. “If a phone is bad, I’ll say it’s bad. If it’s good, I’ll say it’s good,” he says. That blunt honesty has cost him access to review devices. “Some brands have even stopped sending me units because I criticised their products. But that doesn’t matter; I can always buy the devices to review. I’m a journalist, not a salesman.” In a media space crowded with gadget promotions and influencer tie-ups, his willingness to criticise has built credibility and loyalty. Storytelling Without Jargon At the core of his work is storytelling. Whether through articles, videos, or podcasts, Munzir insists on c

Experienced Technology video journalist Alex Zaharov-Reutt has returned to ITwire as Technology Editor after just short of three years away from the publication, and he says he couldn’t be happier.  “The universe brought us together to work together again. There are lots of opportunities, which I'm discovering are still there.” Zaharov-Reutt told Influencing.  Zaharov-Reutt’s return came about partly because he’d seen the publication thrive, with its audience growing and new journos appearing on the publication.  That led to the journo reaching out to ITWire’s Editor-In-Chief Andrew Matler, who, as it happens, had planned to contact Zaharov-Reutt for a potential return, citing his video success.  And now Zaharov-Reutt said he’s back with a bigger remit.  “I'm going to be covering the everyday press releases that are out there. But I’ll also be working on doing video interviews with people, case studies, email interviews, going to events, and developing clo