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

When the phone rings and it's Media Watch calling, most publishers feel their hearts sink. But for Man of Many co-founder Scott Purcell, recent calls from the ABC's media watchdog program brought unexpected validation. The digital lifestyle publisher received two calls from Media Watch in the past month regarding sponsored content campaigns. But rather than exposing wrongdoing, the program was highlighting Man of Many as an example of best practice in disclosure of sponsored content. "I was a bit nervous," Purcell admitted, "but it was good to hear that we were one of the few that had done the right things. They were trying to catch up some people who got involved with the same campaigns and haven't disclosed it." The publisher's approach to sponsored content transparency stems from a strict editorial policy implemented by Editor-in-Chief Nick Hall, emphasising expert-led voice, proper research, and clear disclosure of commercial partnerships. "We always put front and centre that

Big Boss Is Listening There’s workplace surveillance, and then there’s Safetrac. The Financial Review leads today with David Marin-Guzman’s extraordinary scoop that the compliance training giant allegedly turned staff laptops into covert listening devices — recording every kitchen-table confession and client call for up to ten hours a day. CEO Deborah Coram admitted in legal documents that microphones and screen captures were deployed to monitor “underperformers,” a policy spelled out in just four sentences of company rules. Two staff who complained were locked out of their systems and sacked; both are now pursuing unfair dismissal and privacy claims. Victoria Police is probing possible breaches of surveillance laws, and WorkCover has already linked one case of anxiety and depression to the eavesdropping. Work From Home, Pay From Home The fallout comes as the politics of working from home collide with tax policy. Shannon Deery and Alex White report exclusively i

Image source: India Briefing, PTI News and IE; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   India’s foreign minister S. Jaishankar is back in the spotlight after bluntly defending New Delhi’s decision to keep buying Russian oil despite fresh American tariffs. His argument is simple: Washington once asked India to buy Russian oil to stabilise energy markets, so the current 25 per cent penalty slapped by President Donald Trump looks not just unfair, but contradictory. Behind this clash lies a deeper story of India’s balancing act between Washington, Moscow and Beijing, while trying to shield its economy from being a pawn in someone else’s trade war. Hot off the Press The Times of India reported Jaishankar’s clear message from Moscow: the US administration had earlier encouraged India to buy Russian oil, making Trump’s latest tariff move “perplexing.” He pointed out that India also imports increasing amounts of American crude, while China remains Moscow’s top energy customer. Kal