Just days after the Supreme Court observed that allowing every citizen to become a journalist could create problems, a report on certain websites allegedly selling press identity cards and microphones bearing media logos for as little as Rs 1,000 raises another concern: how easily can someone claim to be a journalist? Two of these organisations, Asian Union Press and the Indian Press Union (IPU), list identical membership prices, Influencing India found. Each charges Rs 999 for a digital membership that includes a downloadable press identity card. Each charges Rs 1,799 for a physical membership that adds a printed card and a car sticker. Asian Union Press lists "enhanced field credibility" among the benefits of its higher tier. The organisations came to light through an India Today investigation. India Today reported spotting a person at Jantar Mantar, during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, holding a microphone with the IPU logo. Its follow-up

Thursday, 22 October 2026 #1  ·  Times Nation  ·  Breaking news / In-depth feature Cars to brake on their own: Centre plans AEBS mandate from Oct '30 By Dipak Dash   ·   The Times of India, New Delhi  ·  Page Page 4 The Centre is set to mandate Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) for all new car models from October 2030, with pre-2030 still-in-production models required to comply by October 2032. The draft notification covering various ADAS safety features — including blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and drowsiness alerts — will focus particularly on taxis. The reporter obtained the development from sources aware of the proposal before any official announcement, framing it within the context of India's road safety crisis and the upcoming commercial vehicle AEBS rules taking effect January 2027. This is a genuine policy scoop obtained ahead of a formal notification, with the

P. Krishnan, former senior deputy editor of Sportstar, passed away in Chennai on October 20. He was 69. Affectionately known as PK Sir, he was a patient teacher to a generation of reporters and sub-editors. An editor of the old school, Krishnan believed editing was about much more than correcting sentences or tightening paragraphs. A master of headlines, Krishnan was behind some of Sportstar’s most memorable cover lines until his retirement in 2020. His editorial skills were matched by a sharp and wicked sense of humour. Krishnan joined The Hindu in August 1980 before moving to Sportstar, where he became a mainstay of the editorial desk for more than 30 years. Paying tribute to him on X, Shayan Acharya, lead-cricket reporting and senior assistant editor at Sportstar, wrote: “Our go-to man for all things grammar and humour. A master of headlines, a no-nonsense editor, and someone whose only aim was to make a reporter’s copy better. Travel well, PK Sir! You will b

Haines attack shocks Canberra, sparks security crackdown Independent MP Helen Haines remains critically injured after police allege she was deliberately rammed by a 4WD outside her Wangaratta office, with investigators examining motive and broader security implications. The incident has triggered renewed warnings for MPs to vary routines and intensified debate about political violence, mental health and the adequacy of AFP/ASIO support. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Australian Financial Review, The Australian, Herald Sun, The West Australian, The Advertiser. Power pole revolt detonates NextDC’s $3b wipeout Community opposition to new high-voltage power poles has delayed grid upgrades for NextDC’s West Footscray data centre, forcing an earnings downgrade and a brutal market sell-off that erased roughly $3 billion in value. The story has become a national test case for whether Australia can build the energy and planning infrastructure needed for the AI/data-

The Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) will press the state and central governments to enact legislation safeguarding journalists' safety, dignity and livelihoods during its state-level Foundation Day programme in Jaipur on October 28. Hundreds of journalists from across Rajasthan are expected to gather at Shaheed Smarak at 11 a.m. to mark the federation's 77th Foundation Day and raise long-pending demands relating to journalists' rights, employment security and social protection. Sharing details of the programme with Influencing India, Upendra Singh Rathore, IFWJ national vice-president and Rajasthan state president, said legal safeguards were essential to ensure journalists could carry out their professional responsibilities without fear of violence, threats or administrative harassment. "The government must enact effective legislation to ensure the safety, dignity, and livelihood protection of journalists," Rathore said. The federation is see

Journalists' organisations in Saharanpur have demanded a fair investigation into the murder of Dainik Janvani reporter Naseem Ahmed, along with 1 crore compensation for his family and a government job for one of its members. Alok Taneja, district president of the Rural Journalists Association, condemned the killing and voiced concern over what he described as growing attacks on journalists in Uttar Pradesh. Taneja alleged that media professionals in the state continue to face harassment, with some being implicated in false cases by the police and administration, while others are targeted by influential individuals. The Rural Journalists Association has demanded that those accused in Ahmed's murder be booked under the National Security Act (NSA) and that his family be provided financial assistance of 1 crore. Separately, office-bearers of the Samyukt Journalist Mahasabha submitted a memorandum addressed to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) through SP Rural Mayank P

Reporting on developments in one's home country while living abroad presents challenges for journalists, particularly when they cannot directly witness events or meet sources in person. Maintaining accuracy requires reliable local contacts, independent verification and careful decisions about protecting people who share sensitive information. For Germany-based journalists Ashutosh Patki and Aakriti Dhawan, who moved abroad for education and continued their journalistic work, distance has made local networks and digital verification tools an important part of their reporting. Ashutosh Patki, an international affairs journalist and geopolitical analyst, said journalists must independently establish the accuracy of information received from sources, particularly when reporting on events unfolding in another country. “When I cannot be physically present on the ground, I triangulate information from independent sources, cross-check claims against official documents and court