In a move being seen as a significant push towards safeguarding media freedom, Indian National Congress Member of Parliament from Allahabad, Ujjwal Raman Singh, has submitted the Media Transparency (And Accountability) Bill, 2026 as a private member’s Bill in Parliament. The draft legislation, prepared by the Press Club of India (PCI), seeks to establish an independent National Media Council to ensure transparency, accountability, plurality and fairness in the media sector. The proposed law also aims to regulate ownership patterns, curb excessive market concentration and cross-ownership, and promote public-interest journalism. Thanking Singh for backing the initiative, the Press Club of India said it hopes political parties across the spectrum will come forward to support and pass the Bill. The organisation reiterated its commitment to protecting journalists’ rights and strengthening media freedom guaranteed under Article 19(1)(A) of the Constitution. According to the draft, t

National Union of Journalists (India) (NUJ-I) on Friday, February 13, demanded strict and immediate action against those responsible for shooting journalist Ramesh Singh in Bihar’s Siwan district. According to available information, Singh was seriously injured late Thursday night after unidentified bike-borne assailants opened fire on him in the Pachrukhi block while he was returning from a wedding. He was rushed to hospital, where his condition remains critical. Condemning the attack, NUJ-I president Ras Bihari expressed deep concern over the growing incidents of violence against media professionals in the state. He said repeated attacks have created widespread resentment within the media fraternity and urged Bihar’s CM-Nitish Kumar to order an immediate judicial inquiry into the incident. Ras Bihari also called for adequate compensation for the injured journalist and demanded concrete measures to ensure the safety and security of media persons working in Bihar. Reiterating

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication organised a photo exhibition-cum-seminar through its Hindi and Urdu Journalism Department under the theme “Aakriti 2026”.  The exhibition was inaugurated by the institute’s Vice-Chancellor. It showcased photographs created by students, highlighting their storytelling skills and creative perspective. The event aimed to give students practical exposure to visual journalism and multimedia reporting.  Along with the exhibition, a seminar was held to discuss the role of photography in modern journalism and the importance of ethical and impactful visual storytelling.  

Image edited by Diensh Raj M   On February 12, 2026, journalist Ramesh Singh was shot in the abdomen by unidentified bike-borne assailants in Pachrukhi block, Siwan district, while returning from a wedding. He is critical. That is the bare fact. The response followed quickly. The National Union of Journalists (India) demanded strict and immediate action. Ras Bihari, its president, condemned the “barbaric attack,” flagged “growing incidents of violence” against media persons in Bihar, and spoke of widespread resentment within the state’s media fraternity. He urged Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to order an immediate judicial inquiry, sought adequate compensation, demanded swift arrests and reiterated a long-standing call for a Journalist Protection Law. All of that is necessary. But none of it is new and this is where the story shifts from crime to influence. In Parliament, Indian National Congress MP from Allahabad, Ujjwal Raman Singh, has introdu

Picture credit: Chennai Press Club Journalists and activists gathered for a seminar on the revamped labour codes, warning that the new framework strips away workers’ rights and undermines social security. The event, titled “Journalists Losing Social Security — The Coming Danger and Our Responsibility”, was hosted by the Chennai Press Club. Retired Justice Ariparandhaman and activist Rahul addressed the gathering, stressing the urgent need for collective action to safeguard journalists’ welfare. The seminar was jointly organised by the Chennai Press Club, Chennai Journalists Association, Media Workers for Change Association, Madras High Court Journalists Association, Tamil Nadu Working Journalists Union, and Tamil News Readers Association. Speakers highlighted how the new labour codes could erode protections for media professionals, leaving them vulnerable to precarious employment and reduced benefits. The event underscored the responsibility of journalists’ unions and

CreativeContent's David Hague has launched the Iris vodcast - which he believes is a logical extension of the Creative Content website.  “It gives further options for people to keep abreast of the areas I cover, unless we get information out that doesn't necessarily lend itself to the written word,” Hague told Influencing.  Hague is launching both an Iris podcast and a vodcast, and believes that covers off most bases.  The audio version will be on Buzzsprout, and available via their podcast distribution system. Hague’s video version of the Iris cast will come out on Mondays via the CCTV YouTube channel.  “There will be material in both the audio and video versions that may not appear on the website. These will usually be more short-form items that, whilst interesting in themselves, don't really warrant column inches and are better suited to one or other or both of the audio and video mediums.” The podcast launches as Hague celebrates 50 years in his journalism care

The Australian Financial Review has today unveiled a new brand campaign ‘It’s Not For Everyone’, designed to reinforce its position as the daily habit of successful people. A series of editorial and content initiatives will launch this week, including subscriber notes, newspaper wraps of the Financial Review and special editorial collections that bring to life the real world stories of ambition, passion and commitment within the Australian business community.  “The campaign reflects our core belief that entrepreneurship is the most important driver of Australia’s future prosperity. We report on all aspects of business so it’s great to do something that is unapologetically focused on telling stories about people who will shape this country in the coming decades,” said The Australian Financial Review editor-in-chief James Chessell. Developed in partnership with Howatson+Company, the campaign is centred around the aspirational mindset th