An interactive session on journalism and the changing media landscape was held at Don Bosco Senior Secondary School in Seawoods, Navi Mumbai, on October 1, with students from all three streams participating. Influencing India Senior Assistant Editor Meena R. Prashant conducted the session, speaking to students about fact-checking, informed reporting and responsible journalism at a time when audiences receive information from multiple sources. The programme began with a skit highlighting the importance of verifying information rather than accepting everything circulated online or through other sources at face value. Students raised questions about polarisation in news, attacks on journalists while carrying out their work and other challenges facing the profession. The discussion also covered changes in the journalism industry and the continuing relevance of investigative reporting. Prashant had earlier participated in the school's Career Fair 2026 on September 24. The event br

Delhi Police on October 5 detained eight people staging a sit-in protest outside the Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi to demand an FIR against Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, who has been accused by a journalist of molesting her. Rosy, a journalist with News Diggy, has alleged that Bhagat molested and groped her on October 3 while she was covering the detention of All India Students' Association (AISA) activist Neha Bora. News Diggy founder Gajendra Singh, who was among those detained, spoke to Influencing India from Delhi Cantt Police Station. He said the group, which he described as independent journalists, had gone to Parliament Street Police Station to ask about the status of their complaint. "We were sitting outside the Parliament Station in the morning. We just wanted to know about the status of our complaint. They forcefully detained us, put us in a police van and brought us to Delhi Cantt Police Station," Singh said. Singh s

Karnataka Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy inaugurated the Global Media Council (GMC) in Bangalore and called for greater training for journalists amid changes in the media sector and technology. He said the media needs to strengthen professionalism, accuracy and credibility, and welcomed GMC’s efforts to raise professional awareness at a global level.  Reddy said the government would provide support and assistance to GMC. He also urged the public to support efforts to prevent fake or inaccurate information in the media, which he described as an important pillar of democracy.  Media Academy chairperson Ayesha Khanam said GMC’s objectives are similar to those of the Media Academy but stressed the need for greater representation of women in the organisation. Former Chief Minister’s media adviser K.V. Prabhakar said GMC could help journalists correct mistakes and improve the reputation of the media sector. He also suggested including Karnataka in its name as

ASIO probes alleged flydubai hijack co-pilot’s Australian links Security agencies are investigating claims an accused flydubai co-pilot who allegedly attacked the captain mid-flight had studied in Melbourne, raising urgent questions about vetting, radicalisation pathways and any local networks. The story has national security weight because it pulls a dramatic overseas incident into Australia’s domestic counter-terrorism frame. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Herald Sun, Courier Mail. Labor’s political pain: ratings slump as cost-of-living bites A major poll shows Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers at record-low personal approval, with Labor’s primary vote at its weakest and economic management rising as a voter concern. It sharpens the political stakes for upcoming policy fights and election positioning, with business groups simultaneously escalating attacks on Labor’s productivity agenda. Covered by: Australian Financial Review, The Austral

Taking a pause for Gandhi Jayanti On account of Gandhi Jayanti, our lead story for the day and Today’s Ten will not be published on October 2. So, no inbox deep-dive from us today. Consider it a rare chance to reach the bottom of your unread emails. We’ll be back on Monday with a fresh Lead, a new Today’s Ten and more exciting stories, developments and conversations from across India’s media landscape. Until then, have a restful holiday and we’ll see you Monday.

RBA warns Australia is exposed to an AI-fuelled global shock The Reserve Bank has cautioned that a debt-driven AI investment boom offshore could unwind abruptly, sending financial shockwaves into Australia. It also flags rising negative-equity risks for recent buyers as rates stay higher for longer and housing prices soften—adding political pressure around Labor’s homebuyer support settings. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Australian Financial Review, The Australian. Terror drama aboard Flydubai flight: passengers avert catastrophe Multiple papers lead with dramatic accounts of an apparent cockpit attack on Flydubai flight FZ1073, describing a rapid plunge and passengers intervening to restrain a suspected terrorist and stabilise the situation. Beyond the human stakes, the incident will sharpen aviation security scrutiny and highlights how quickly international crises can touch Australian travellers. Covered by: Australian Financial Review, Sydney Morning He

The Guardian's Carly Earl is expanding her role at the masthead taking on the Head of Photography, Australia and Asia Pacific role, building upon her Pictures Editor role. Earl told Influencing that the new role would see her work closely alongside the masthead's Asia-Pacific correspondents, describing the region as "so visually rich." She added, “We have really focused in on New Zealand, and we've also focused in on the Pacific Islands. We were already covering those parts, but then we had this other whole area of Japan, China and Indonesia; all these places which have incredibly rich visual journalism available, which we weren't tapping into.  “There are incredible stories coming out of there in terms of the characters, climate change, the environment, news. And I think capturing that from a photographic perspective is imperative in our journalism these days”.  Further changes to The Guardian’s Photography team see Fion