Zee News has named Pratyush Khare, senior anchor and executive producer, as the new host of its flagship prime-time shows, Taal Thok Ke and Deshhit, effective this evening. Khare has been associated with Zee Media Corporation Limited since May 2024, where he has anchored news bulletins and contributed to editorial coverage. In his new role, he will lead two of the channel’s key debate and analysis programmes, strengthening its prime-time lineup. With more than 20 years of experience, he brings editorial depth, field experience, and a strong connection with viewers. His appointment highlights the network’s focus on experienced and credible leadership. According to Medianews4U, Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor, said the move is part of a strategy to sharpen content and maintain high editorial standards. Both shows are recognised for driving discussions on political, social, and policy issues.

With the war in Iran entering the second month, media fraternity across the world woke up to the news of the kidnapping of US freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson in Iraqi capital Baghdad. Shelly was abducted on Tuesday evening, said Al-Monitor, a news outlet for which she has contributed articles. Al-Monitor, which is based in the US, said local news reports indicate Kittleson was taken near a hotel in the heart of the capital when she was abducted. Later, a US state department official said an individual with ties to an Iranian-aligned militia group, Kataib Hezbollah, was detained by Iraqi authorities and that serious efforts were on to get the journalist released. The incident brings back memories of the abduction and beheading of another American journalist Daniel Pearl in Pakistan in the year 2002 and highlights, yet again, the inherent dangers of reporting from conflict zones. The rise of AI and other powerful tools that can spread misinformation campaigns have only complica

Image of the Day   Hyderabad police embrace AI to strengthen digital vigilance Hyderabad police have begun the deployment of an artificial intelligence-driven platform to monitor, analyse and interpret social media activity in real time, marking a shift from largely manual tracking to automated digital surveillance. The system, being jointly developed with Blue Cloud Softech Solutions Limited, is designed to track trends across platforms, identify misinformation, detect potential threats and assess public sentiment using advanced AI-driven analytics. Officials say the move comes amid a surge in ‘cyber mob harassment’ cases targeting actors, bureaucrats and other public figures, writes Lavpreet Kaur for The Hindu. Identity politics takes centre stage in BTR ahead of Assam polls Abhinay Lakshman for The Hindu reported that as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fuels the rhetoric of protecting indigenous identities in the run-up to the Assembly election in As

    JBCN Education has appointed communications agency The Other Circle (TOC) to lead its public relations and strategic communications mandate, marking a new phase of growth for the progressive K–12 institution. Under the partnership, TOC will shape and amplify JBCN Education’s narrative through educator‑led thought leadership, media engagement, and strategic storytelling. The collaboration aims to foster deeper dialogue with parents, educators and the wider academic community on meaningful learning. Aakanksha Gupta, Co‑founder & CEO of The Other Circle Group of Companies, added: “The best communications work happens when the story is already true — you just have to find the right way to tell it. JBCN Education represents a powerful shift in how learning is imagined and delivered in India, and our role is to bring that into the wider public conversation.”

Industrialist Anil Ambani has filed a defamation case in the Bombay High Court against journalist Arnab Goswami and Republic TV, alleging that recent broadcasts about his financial dealings have harmed his reputation. According to the petition, Ambani claims the programmes contained defamatory content that created a misleading impression among the public, investors, and the business community. He has sought an interim injunction to restrain Goswami and Republic TV from airing or publishing any further allegedly derogatory material until the case is decided. The matter is expected to be heard by a bench led by Justice Milind Jadhav on April 1, e4m reported. The case is currently at a preliminary stage, with the court set to decide on temporary relief.

The Karnataka Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) has announced its annual journalism awards for 2024, recognising excellence across categories including rural reporting, crime, human interest, agriculture, and television journalism. The awards will be presented during the 40th State Journalists’ Conference scheduled in Bidar on April 11 and 12. In a statement, State President Shivanand Tagadur and General Secretary G.C. Lokesh said the awards honour impactful reporting across Karnataka. Speaking to Influencing India, Tagadur added, “The event was scheduled last December, but due to the union election, it got postponed. Nevertheless, we are happy to announce the winners. You have done a good job in the field of journalism.” Key awardees include: Rural Reporting: Yogesh Mallur, K.A. Ismail Human Interest: Mallayya Polampalli, Ravikumar Kaggannanavar Crime Reporting: Basavaraj Kattimani, P.K. Ravikumar Best Scoop: Odesh Sakaleshpur, Mahesh Munna

Simon Sharwood is “pumped” to have won this year’s Best Technical Journalist award at this year’s Lizzies. “It's lovely to be recognised and even more so when I felt like I put my best foot forward,” Sharwood told Influencing.  Sharwood’s winning entries included the “Slow Adoption of IPv6 in the 30 years since it was first described in an Internet draft”, “The plan to make all networks optical is about to take two big steps forward”, and “One of TikTok’s network boffins says it causes ‘massive data wastage.’”.  “I feel like [the IPv6 story] really encapsulated a story that people would be dimly aware of. If I do say so myself, it was really well-sourced, with really senior people from around the world.  “The second story I'm also chuffed about because it took me eight or nine months to land, and it's about new technology called IOWM that aims to