Tensions and criticisms that arose following the absence of female journalists from a press conference of the Afghanistan Foreign Minister, Malwawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, held in New Delhi on Friday, October 10, 2025, subsided following the second “inclusive” press conference held on Sunday, October 12, 2025. Though his team clarified that the exclusion was “unintentional”, it sparked a raging controversy among the media fraternity and press freedom organisations. According to The Hindu, the Darul Uloom Deoband, an Islamic seminary in UP, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, clarified that there were no such directives to restrict the entry of women journalists covering the Afghan minister’s visit. "There were no restrictions from the Afghan Foreign Minister's office about who would attend," Deoband PRO Ashraf Usmani, also the media in-charge of Muttaqi’s Saturday programme, stated, dismissing as "baseless" claims that women journalists were kept away. Muttaqi’s team invited

Fellowships have become an essential part of modern journalism, offering reporters the time, mentorship and resources to explore stories that go beyond daily news cycles. They provide a platform for experimentation and depth—helping journalists pursue investigations, amplify unheard voices and connect with global networks that shape their craft. Independent journalist Sharada Balasubramanian, who focuses on environmental reporting, says fellowships go far beyond recognition. “Fellowships are not just about recognition—they provide support, guidance, and opportunities to pursue stories that would otherwise be difficult to do.” For Sharada, these programs helped her take on in-depth investigative stories, especially in environmental journalism, which requires both time and resources. She recommends platforms such as IJNet.org, which shares regular updates on fellowships and grants, and the Environmental Journalism Network (EJN), known for supporting environmental reporters th

The Uttarakhand government is facing severe criticism for its stark contradiction between assurances and actions concerning journalists. On one hand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring the safety, security and welfare of journalists in the state during his address at the Diwali Festival 2025 organised by the Uttaranchal Press Club in Dehradun on October 12, ANI News reported. On the other hand, independent journalist Ajit Rathi was served a legal notice by the State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand (SIDCUL) on the same day over his reports alleging that land allocated for an IT park was being leased to private parties. The move has drawn sharp criticism from journalist associations in the state and the Press Club of India. “Such actions by the Uttarakhand government stem from authoritarian tendencies aimed at stifling democratic discourse and preventing journalists from discharging their du

Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited under the Ministry of Coal, successfully hosted the two-day “National PR Conclave 2025” at the Gangotri Convention Centre, CCL Headquarters, Ranchi. Centred on the theme “Redefining PR: From Information to Engagement in the Era of Digitalisation”, the conclave brought together leading PR professionals, media experts, academicians, and students to explore the evolving landscape of communication in a digital-first world. The valedictory ceremony featured the joint release of a Special Cover (Customised Stamp Ticket) and the souvenir Navchetna by Nilendu Kumar Singh, CMD, CCL; Pawan Kumar Mishra, Director (Finance); Harsh Nath Mishra, Director (HR); and R.V. Chaudhary, Director, Postal Services, Jharkhand. The gesture honoured the dedication and contributions of CCL employees, who form the backbone of India’s energy infrastructure. The event included a series of thought-provoking sessions, such as: - Role

CNN-News18 has announced that it has emerged as an undisputed leader in the English news genre. The channel continues to dominate the primetime slot with no visible competition, Medianews4U reported. According to the latest BARC data, CNN News18 dominated the prime time slot with an impressive 64.4% market share, placing it significantly ahead of its competitors, NDTV at 15.4% and Times Now at 12.2%.   CNN News18 continues to maintain a strong lead with a 36.5% market share, followed by NDTV 24×7 at 25.2% and Times Now at 21.4%.  The channel has continued to dominate, holding the top spot in the English news category since BARC ratings resumed in March 2022. Its consistent success stems from its credibility and its commitment to delivering accurate, timely, and impactful journalism that connects with viewers.   The channel continues to deliver accurate news featuring top-tier news anchors like Zakka Jacob, Anand Narasimhan, Rahul Sivasankar, Shivani Gupta, and an extensive

Image source: Al Jazeera, The Hindu and Mint; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   Taliban have backed India’s sovereignty over J&K, drawing a blistering response from Pakistan amid its already-tense relationship with Afghanistan that has been exacerbated by heavy border clashes in the past few days.  Hot off the Press Pakistan has lodged a formal protest with Afghanistan, saying the mention violates UNSC resolutions and legal status of J&K, but New Delhi sees the joint statement as underscoring its position that India and Afghanistan are contiguous neighbours because Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) shares a 106-km-long border with Afghanistan, wrote Sachin Parashar for The Times of India. Afghan officials have said their forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in border operations, though Pakistan put the figure at 23. Pakistan said its forces killed 200 Taliban cadres and captured 19 Afghan border posts, according to Rezaul H Laskar for Hindustan Times. Hours after the clashes

Indian Express Online Media is all set to host the third edition of the Adventure Tourism Meet (ATM) on October 14, 2025, at the State Convention Centre, Shillong. The event aims to provide new avenues for adventure sports enthusiasts while also creating livelihood opportunities, promoting cultural preservation, and fostering environmental awareness, The Indian Express stated. Supported by Presenting Sponsor Meghalaya Tourism, ATM 2025 celebrates Meghalaya’s growing reputation as one of India’s most exciting adventure destinations, blending local wisdom with new-age travel practices. Through a day-long series of panel discussions, presentations and cultural performances, ATM 2025 will explore the evolving narrative of adventure travel in India. The opening session, “Beyond Borders: Positioning India as a Global Adventure Tourism Hub,” will delve into India’s potential to compete in the global adventure tourism landscape by integrating infrastructure, policy, and innovatio