Public relations professionals should help shape business decisions rather than simply communicate them after they have been made, according to Meenakshi Nevatia, Country President of Pfizer India. But earning that position requires demonstrating value, challenging leadership when necessary and understanding when public communication can help or complicate a situation. Speaking at PRAXIS India in Kochi on Public Relations as a Force for Good, Nevatia offered a business leader's perspective on how communications can influence corporate strategy, particularly in industries where public trust is fragile. Drawing on her experience at Novartis, Stryker and Pfizer, she acknowledged that she had not always considered communications a central strategic function. That changed as she moved into leadership roles where business decisions involved competing stakeholder expectations and potential reputational consequences. “I truly believe it is a very, very important strategic funct

Health misinformation is not just a problem of misleading social media posts. It can influence medical decisions, delay effective treatment and, in some cases, contribute to life-threatening complications. Yet individuals promoting questionable health advice can attract millions of followers, sometimes with the help of public relations professionals. That was the warning from Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known as The Liver Doc, during his keynote on Facts, Not Fear: Communicating with Courage in an Age of Misinformation at PRAXIS India in Kochi. Philips, a hepatologist, clinical researcher and public health activist at Rajagiri Hospital in Aluva, questioned the role of communications professionals in promoting health influencers whose popularity may exceed their medical expertise. Drawing on his clinical experience and published research, he argued that the consequences of misinformation extend far beyond online arguments, often becoming visible in hospital wards and intensiv

Women journalists’ safety, professional independence and the freedom to question those in power were among the key issues raised at a two-day National Conference of Women Journalists in Hyderabad on 24 and 25 October, with speakers calling for stronger institutional support and equal opportunities in newsrooms. Danasari Anasuya, popularly known as Seethakka, Telangana Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development and Women and Child Welfare, raised concerns over reports of assaults and sexual harassment of women during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She also called for an impartial examination of subsequent developments, including cases filed against women journalists who raised complaints. “Why should a woman journalist face intimidation, retaliation, character assassination or misuse of the law for doing her job? A woman holding a microphone is not an enemy, and a journalist asking uncomfortable questions is not a threat,” she sai

The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) has asked the Supreme Court to strike down provisions of India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) law. It argues that because the law has no exemption for journalism, reporters could be forced to seek consent from the people they investigate, remove published reports and expose confidential sources, Reuters reported. The association represents 21 publishers, including Network18, NDTV, The Indian Express and Times Internet. It filed a 698-page petition on October 6, and the matter was listed for hearing on October 27. Most of the obligations it contests take effect on May 13, 2027.  Three provisions at the centre Consent. The law requires organisations to obtain consent before processing personal data. The publishers argue that asking the subject of an investigation for permission could alert them to the reporting, giving them a chance to destroy evidence or intimidate witnesses. Withdrawal and erasure. The petition

Tuesday, 27 October 2026 #1  ·  Times City / Delhi Times  ·  In-depth feature New Pollution Source Study To Use AI, Satellite Data To Map Emissions, Assess Scenarios Up To 2040 By Priyangi Agarwal   ·   The Times of India, New Delhi  ·  Page Page 4 A comprehensive new emission inventory and source apportionment study for Delhi and 27 NCR districts is underway, using a 500m×500m grid, AI-based satellite mapping, and ground verification teams. Led by a consortium of ARAI-Pune, IIT-Delhi, TERI and IITM-Pune and funded by CPCB, the study will cover the full calendar year 2026 and provide pollution scenario assessments for 2030, 2035 and 2040. It is the first such study in nearly a decade, designed to capture how banning coal, shifting industries to cleaner fuels, and changing vehicle technology have altered Delhi-NCR's pollution mix. The reporter secured detailed technical briefings from CAQM's SD Attr

Energy warning: Victoria faces gas shortfalls and blackout risk A leaked Victorian government briefing warns the state could face critical gas shortages within three years, with higher power bills and increased blackout risk unless around $65bn is spent on new energy infrastructure. It lands as a major election issue, sharpening the debate over reliability, transition costs and who pays for the next phase of the grid. Covered by: Herald Sun, Australian Financial Review, The West Australian. Parliament reckons with political violence after Haines attack Federal politics is grappling with the aftermath of the car-ramming attack on independent MP Helen Haines, with tributes turning into a wider reckoning about rising anger, threats and the coarsening of public debate. Several papers note the tension between calls for civility and the reality that partisan combat and media blame-games continue. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian, Australian Financial Review, The