Lessons from the tech CEO grilling session
By Seamus Byrne in Media News on Thursday, 30th July 2020 at 11:34am
When you get the chance to sit down and ask a Silicon Valley CEO some questions, you’d better be prepared.

At today’s congressional subcommittee hearings into anti-trust concerns over Amazon, Google, Facebook and Apple and their associated market power, too many committee members had not done their homework. Maybe they thought they had, or maybe they just thought they were the smartest people in the room. But both the good and the bad questions showed textbook lessons for journalists – and corporate executives – on how to prepare and conduct yourself in a big interview.
The big failing was the classic: thinking you could possibly ask something they were not expecting to be asked. Anti-conservative bias on Facebook? Conservative bias on Facebo...
To continue reading this article...
More Influencing|Tech
Regional newspapers rescued
By Staff Writers in Media News on Monday, 01st June 2026 at 7:54am
The recently shuttered The Narrabri Courier, Gunnedah Times and Wew Waa News have been acquired by the Times New Group and will return on June 11.
“For generations, these newspapers have covered local government, agriculture, business, sport, community events and the stories that connect their communities,” the company said in a statement.
“Their return means readers, businesses, sporting clubs, schools and community organisations across Narrabri, Gunnedah and Wee Waa will once again have a dedicated platform focused on local news and local stories”.
The Times News Group now publishes 17 mastheads across Victoria and New South Wales with the titles joining the Byron Coast Times, Ballina Times, Tweed Coast Times and Lismore Times in the group’s NSW network.
“At a time when regional news closures are becoming increasingly common across Australia, we are proud to be investing in the future of independent local journalism,” the company said.
Radio exec suspended following alleged dancefloor grope
By Staff Writers in Media News on Monday, 01st June 2026 at 7:30am
The general manager of Super Radio Network station 2HD has been suspended following an alleged inappropriate incident at the Audio Awards, according to an exclusive from Mediaweek’s Natasha Lee.
The incident involved 2HD presenter Cheralyn Darcey, who hosts The Nightline program on 2HD between 8pm and midnight.
“Video seen by Mediaweeek shows Ashford embracing Darcey before grabiing her from behind,” Lee reported, before revealing that Ashford had been stood down “while the matter s addressed”.
SRN Managing Director Graham Mott told Lee that Ashford had been “suspended from work” and “we will be having further discussions regarding the matter”.
Upfront: One Nation’s shock surge, AUKUS subs go second-hand, Gas plan spooks Asia.
By Staff Writers in Media News on Monday, 01st June 2026 at 5:49am
One Nation surge shakes federal politics after budget backlash
Fresh polling suggests Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has overtaken Labor on primary vote in the wake of the federal budget, intensifying pressure on the government and sharpening questions about the opposition’s pathway back. Several papers frame it as a broader “aspirational revolt”, while others focus on Hanson’s leadership pitch and scrutiny of her parliamentary performance. Covered by: Australian Financial Review, Australian Financial Review, Australian Financial Review, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, The Australian.
AUKUS submarine pathway shifts — capability and access under the microscope
Australia’s AUKUS plan is under renewed scrutiny after reports the three Virginia-class submarines to be acquired from the US will all be second-hand boats, with the government arguing this reduces cost and complexity. The debate is widening beyond procurement details to questions of long-term capability, workforce an
Shalini Singh joins NorthStar Insights as senior advisor – strategic communications
By Staff Writer in Media News on Friday, 29th May 2026 at 8:02pm
NorthStar Insights has appointed Shalini Singh as Senior Advisor – Strategic Communications, bringing with her over 27 years of multi‑industry experience across renewables, power, cement, automotive, pharma, IT, telecom, and textiles. She began her career at Arvind Mills as Manager – Corporate Communications.
Singh shared a press note with Influencing India confirming the new role, where she stated: “I’m excited to join NorthStar Insights at a time when India is emerging as a major force driving global growth and transformation."
She highlighted that India’s rapid evolution across industries, innovation and leadership makes it a critical market for organisations seeking long‑term, sustainable growth strategies. Singh added that NorthStar Insights’ launch in India reflects its commitment to sharper strategic insights, deeper stakeholder engagement, and globally informed perspectives.
She emphasised that combining global expertise with lo
Puthiya Thalaimurai pulled off air from state cable network after critical TVK coverage
By Suganthi Marimuthu, Meena R. Prashant in Media News on Friday, 29th May 2026 at 3:30pm
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has come under sharp criticism from journalists and media bodies for allegedly removing Tamil news channel Puthiya Thalaimurai TV from the Tamil Nadu government cable broadcast network.
The Chennai Press Club has strongly condemned the action, calling it an "attack on press freedom and freedom of expression."
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Press Club said the channel was taken off the government cable platform — Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Ltd (TACTV) — without any prior notice. The move comes amid criticism surrounding TVK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay's recent two-day visit to Delhi, during which he reportedly declined to interact with journalists.
According to the Chennai Press Club, Puthiya Thalaimurai TV had aired a detailed report on the criticism over Vijay's refusal to meet the media. The channel had also carried reports in recent days on murders reported across Tamil Nadu since the TVK governme
TODAY’S TEN: Karnataka power shift, 70,000-cr submarine deal, VFS visa scrutiny and more
By Staff Writer in Media News on Friday, 29th May 2026 at 2:57pm
Image Courtesy: The Hindu
Friday, 29 May 2026
#1 · Times City · In-depth feature
At Gole Market, Even Decades Have Heritage Value
By Staff Reporter · The Times of India · Page 2
An in-depth feature examining the long-delayed restoration of the 1921 Gole Market landmark in New Delhi, which was supposed to be restored by 2010 but remains under construction in 2026 with traders still waiting. The story traces the market's history from 1918 through multiple failed restoration timelines, documenting broken government promises and the impact on traders and the surrounding area.
The story demonstrates strong longitudinal reporting, using a detailed historical timeline spanning over a century to hold authorities accountable for repeated missed deadlines, and grounds the institutional failure in the lived experience of traders still waiting after 16 years of overdue promises.
#2 · Front
Meet Nidhi Jamwal: The independent journalist who turned grassroots reporting into impactful environmental journalism
By Pavithra in Media News on Friday, 29th May 2026 at 1:12pm
For over two decades, independent journalist Nidhi Jamwal has reported from some of India’s most remote villages, climate-sensitive regions and environmentally fragile landscapes. Covering issues ranging from climate change and rural distress to water scarcity and mountain ecosystems, her work has consistently focused on stories that often remain invisible in mainstream media.
Yet journalism was never part of her original plan.
Jamwal describes herself as an “accidental journalist.” Raised in a small town in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, she grew up surrounded by rivers, forests, mountains, and a way of life closely connected to nature. Families grew vegetables in kitchen gardens, rivers were clean, and drinking water flowed directly from taps without concern about contamination.
Her understanding of environmental issues changed when she moved to Delhi in the 1990s for higher education. The polluted air, dirty rivers, and environmental degradation in the
Media news latest
The recently shuttered The Narrabri Courier, Gunnedah Times and Wew Waa News have been acquired by the Times New Group and will return on June 11. ... Show more
The general manager of Super Radio Network station 2HD has been suspended following an alleged inappropriate incident at the Audio Awards, according to an exclusive from Mediaweek’s Natasha Lee. ... Show more
In Front Page News Today: One Nation leapfrogs Labor in polls; AUKUS submarine deal faces fresh scrutiny; Labor gas reservation alarms investors, Asian buyers. ... Show more
Marcoms news latest
IN PR: Cat McGinn launches AI strategy comms agency Liminal & Co, Jessica Allison joins Special PR as GM ... Show more
IN PR: Via strengthens comms team with senior appointments, Miles Alexander wraps up at Thrive PR and Ana Keltchina steps up at Atlassian ... Show more
IN PR: Dylan Quinnell joins the Global Strategic Communications Council, India S joins The Royal Sydney Golf Club, opportunities at SHK APAC and Commonwealth Bank. ... Show more