For field reporters, election season is less about headlines and more about constantly working against time, crowds, exhaustion, and unpredictability. Long travel schedules, shifting campaign plans, and safety concerns become part of daily reporting as journalists move from rallies and polling stations to party offices and counting centres. Chief reporter K. S. Abbas Manthiri from Kavalar Mithran pointed to the uneven access reporters experience during elections. “Priority plays a key role during election coverage. Satellite media often receive more access and support than online platforms. They are more likely to get cooperation from authorities and access restricted locations, and senior politicians also tend to engage more with them.” He also described the physical strain of constantly travelling during election assignments. “Travel itself becomes exhausting during elections. We deal with long distances, time constraints, weather conditions, and delays that s

  Compass Studio in market for PRs of all kinds Compass Studio is expanding its PR freelance network after securing new work in early 2026 with Greenpeace, Harris Farm, Locolove and Earthletica. The values-driven studio is seeking expressions of interest from experienced PR practitioners, including permanent, part-time and freelance talent, with skills in earned media and purpose-led storytelling. The agency said it is looking for people with “a track record of both the doing and the thinking” to support upcoming briefs focused on impact-led brands. If you’re interested get in touch with Compass Studio’s co-director at luke@compass-studio.com   Barnes buttresses Bastion Vihan Mathur for Mediaweek reports that Bastion has appointed Joanna Barnes as Executive Media Director as it builds out its media offering less than a year after launch. The appointment follows client wins including Raw C and Geely and comes after Bastion’s recent hir

"Countless" explicit text that former radio presenter Alan Jones shared with numerous young men may, according to an exclusive report this morning in The Australian. Steve Jackson wrote in this morning's Diary column that Jones' indecent assualt trial kicks off in three months and material including explicit images and lude conversations are part of the evidence bank. "Diary can reveal state prosecutors intend to introduce into evidence a tranche of historic text messages found on Jones’s mobile after it was seized by detectives during a raid on his harbourside apartment in November 202 The private exchanges include potentially embarrassing – and exceedingly graphic – “sexts” the shock jock allegedly shared with some men who have since gone on to accuse him of sexually assaulting them at various points during the past two decades." Diary also noted its earlier reveal that there is a long list of "media personality, spo

Budget belt-tightening collides with a swollen public service With the May 12 federal budget looming, Labor is signalling restraint—net savings, possible tax changes and tougher choices—as scrutiny intensifies on how spending is being reined in without stalling services. The AFR reports wage forecasts imply cuts of around 7000 public service jobs a year, underscoring the political risk of “efficiency” drives landing as frontline reductions. Covered by: The West Australian, Australian Financial Review, Australian Financial Review. AUKUS anxiety: Japan submarines floated as a Plan B A former senior defence official is urging Australia to develop a contingency option for AUKUS by exploring leasing advanced conventional submarines from Japan, timed to high-level talks during Japan’s prime ministerial visit. The push highlights growing concern about delivery timelines and capability gaps, and would reshape regional defence diplomacy if Canberra formally lo

Winning a Lizzie to Pickr’s Leigh :) Stark means that people are reading and appreciating his work.  Stark says this after winning the Best Consumer Technology Media award at this year’s Samsung Australian IT Journalism Awards. “One of the best forms of validation is that other journalists are reading it and judging it and saying that it's solid content”, Stark told Influencing.   “When you're in a small newsroom, you have an editor who can give you that. When you are your own publisher, there's the occasional friend and other journalist out there who will tell you what's happening, but that validation you get from the judges is really important.” Stark explained that it was an absolute honour for Pickr to be adjudged Best Consumer Technology Media. “[Pickr] is about trying to make consumer technology easier and more connectable for people, and to have judges more or less say that it's the best consumer

One Green Bean promotes Bailey to MD Lauren Bailey has been promoted to Managing Director at PR agency One Green Bean, stepping up from her previous role of Managing Partner and Director of Innovation. Commenting on her appointing at LinkedIn, Bailey said she “couldn’t be prouder” to lead the One Green Bean team. “16 years ago, I walked into a brand‑new agency called One Green Bean with a big feeling of imposter syndrome, outweighed by how excited I was to be shaking up the industry. At the time the idea that earned was more than just PR was very new. Now it’s assumed. Fast‑forward through a few life chapters (two kids, a whole lot of learning, and a big stint in-house), I’m now Managing Director at the very grown up ogb.” Rebecca Shaw departs Keep Left Keep Left account director Rebecca Shaw is departing to move back to the US “to spend some quality time with family and friends”. “While I’m so excited for