Alice Griffin, the now former Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director of Junkee Media is a star. In Junkee, Griffin took what was essentially a dormant masthead and re-birthed it into something meaningful and important again. So when she announced her departure from Junkee this week, her reference to mental health was concerning. “I’m really looking forward to a new path that allows time for me to prioritise creating for myself, my relationships and (importantly for me and so many others) my mental health,” she wrote. Junkee's Editor-in-chief and managing director Alice Griffin is refocusing on personal projects We’ve seen a worrying uptick of journalists and media creators talk about mental health and stress, as part of the rationale for them departing their roles, or sometimes leaving the industry entirely. Thankfully, Griffin has no intention of leaving media - she’ll be re-focusing her creativity on her own independent initiatives, while continuing the Little

Morning and welcome to Thursday, with political stories from both sides of the world taking up plenty of column inches today. Let's look at the US first, not least because the Daily Telegraph - or at least it's editorial writer - is frothing at the mouth at the election of self-described democratic socialist mayor Zohran Mamdani. "New York City has had some crazy mayors over the years, but newly elected Zohran Mamdani may turn out to be the wildest of the lot," says the Tele, and then goes on to say he plans to "tax the rich to pay for free buses, universal tax-funded childcare, and even city-owned grocery stores." Good Lord, the hide of the man! And those people who democratically elected him on a landslide - what were they thinking!? What is the world coming to? Well, it's maybe coming just a little bit to its senses - is it really so bad to have properly funded services, and if you're a billionaire maybe you can spare a few more dimes, some crumbs from your table. I know, I

The distribution of newspapers across Punjab was significantly disrupted on Sunday, following reports that vehicles carrying publications were stopped at multiple police checkpoints between Saturday night and Sunday morning. Punjab Police stated that the action was based on “specific intelligence inputs.” However, the explanation has drawn criticism from media organisations and opposition leaders, with some describing the move as politically motivated. According to a Hindustan Times report, opposition figures referred to the incident as “Sheesh Mahal 2.0,” in reference to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. The Chandigarh Press Club (CPC) and the Press Club of India (PCI) issued statements condemning the police action, describing it as a violation of press freedom. The CPC reported that several newspaper delivery vehicles were stopped and, in some cases, taken to police stations for inspection, resulting in delays and alleged harassment of delivery personnel. Incid

Ayurvedic wellness brand Amrutam has engaged strategic communications agency The Other Circle (TOC) to lead its public relations and reputation management efforts across India. The partnership aims to enhance Amrutam’s national visibility and promote Ayurveda as an authentic, ethical, and evidence-based wellness system. Amrutam, certified by the Ministry of AYUSH, is known for its women-first approach and its guiding philosophy, “Health is Beauty.” The collaboration with TOC will focus on reinforcing Amrutam’s commitment to classical Ayurvedic principles and expanding its reach among diverse audiences. The brand’s offerings prioritise internal wellness through traditional Ayurvedic processes and are designed to support women across various life stages—from menarche to menopause. These are complemented by community-driven initiatives such as blogs, podcasts, and online consultations. “Central to Amrutam’s model is our women-first approach, supporting holistic health

Richard Barman, a noted video and photojournalist currently associated with Northeast Now, is showcasing his artistic photographs at a prestigious international exhibition in Caracas, Venezuela. Barman is among only two Indian artists selected to participate in the exclusive biennial event, VI Biennial of the South–BRICS, Peoples in Resistance, The Power of Diversity. The exhibition, which celebrates global artistic talent and diversity, is currently underway and will conclude on January 16, 2026. His photographic works, which vividly portray the social and political narratives of Assam, have drawn significant attention at the event. According to Northeast Now, the President of Venezuela personally visited the venue and viewed Barman’s photographs on display.

  Punjab Police are investigating the abduction of Canada-based journalist and Hamdard TV anchor Gurpiar Singh, who was reportedly kidnapped from the channel’s office in Shivalik Vihar, Naya Gaon, around 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday. According to police sources, two individuals dressed as Nihangs allegedly forced Singh into a vehicle. One of the suspects has been identified as Gurdeep Singh, who is reportedly associated with the Sikh Bandi Chudao Morcha. Following directives from Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav and Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police, multiple teams have been deployed to trace the suspects. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and questioning local residents to determine the route taken by the abductors, The Tribune reported. Amar Singh Bhullar, Chief Editor and owner of Hamdard TV, confirmed that police were informed immediately after the incident. The investigation is ongoing, with teams pursuing leads based on eyewitness statements and surveillance foo

Veteran journalist and The Week’s Senior Special Correspondent, Tariq Bhat, passed away in Srinagar on Tuesday at the age of 54. He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest around 8.30 am, according to a post by The Week quoting his family. A journalist known for his integrity and depth of reporting, Tariq had been with The Week for 24 years. He joined the Malayala Manorama Group as a Senior Correspondent on November 27, 2001. Before that, he worked with The Indian Express. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, expressed grief over Bhat’s demise on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, “Shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden demise of senior journalist Tariq Ahmad Bhat. Tariq was among the most respected journalists of Jammu and Kashmir, known for his integrity and commitment to truthful reporting. Throughout his career, he remained a voice of accuracy and impartiality, upholding the highest standards of journalism even in difficult and trying circum