Sending a strong message that right to shelter is a fundamental right and rule of law is part of the basic structure of the Constitution, Supreme Court directed Prayagraj Development Authority to pay compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to five people whose houses were illegally razed in 2021, setting a benchmark for the fine to be paid for resorting to what has come to be known as “bulldozer justice”. Hot Off the Press The court said there was a procedure prescribed before demolition, and the facts of the case were shocking as houses were razed within 24 hours of proper notices being served. The demolition was done on March 7, 2021, in which the houses of a lawyer, a professor and others were razed. Notice was served to them on March 6, reported Amit Anand Choudhary for The Times of India. Considering the inhuman and illegal manner in which demolition was carried out, we quantify the compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the appellants and direct the Prayagraj Development Author

RSN Racing and Sport has launched a new transmitter in Warrnambool, allowing locals to tune in on 87.6FM ahead of the region’s upcoming thoroughbred and greyhound racing carnivals, Radio Info reported. Listeners in the area will now have access to RSN’s full daily programming, including Breakfast With Harf at 6 am, Racing Pulse from 8:30 am, and afternoon racing coverage featuring analysts like John Henry and Matt Hill. Weekend programming includes The First Word, The Melbourne Form Panel, and Get On. RSN will also broadcast live from the racing carnivals later this month. “We’ll be at the track, bringing our audience all the action and atmosphere,” confirmed hosts Michael Felgate and Andrew Bensley, as the station strengthens its local presence during one of Warrnambool’s biggest sporting events.  

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released its draft views on the future of spectrum licences due to expire between 2028 and 2032, outlining their critical role across mobile, internet, broadcasting and transport services. According to an official release, ACMA deputy chair Adam Suckling said decisions around these licences, particularly those held by mobile operators, will significantly shape Australia's media and telecommunications sectors for the next 20 years.  “Our approach prioritises the public interest, ensuring that Australians continue to have access to essential services, including free-to-air news and emergency broadcast coverage, such as during events like Cyclone Alfred,” he said. The ACMA has proposed renewing licences used for television outside broadcasts to maintain coverage of major events and breaking news. These may transition to a new licence type to support evolving technologies and improve spectrum efficiency. With spectrum

April 1 marked a change in the channel publication market in Australia. After 20 years, Nextmedia no longer controls the CRN Australia title. It is back in the hands of The Channel Company, which also owns the global CRN title and CRN UK, US, Germany, and Asia.    In return, nextmedia on April 1 launched its new channel title, techpartner.news, after it was first made public at nextmedia’s What’s Next? Event in Sydney. The company has also strengthened its journalism stocks in recent months by hiring News Editor Jason Pollock and NZ-based contributor Juha Saarinen, back contributing heavily to the title. Another New Zealand freelancer Ben Moore, formerly NextMedia’s New Zealand Bureau Chief also penned a story for the title, with editor Will Maher. As for CRN Australia, they’ve hired former Digital Nation and Gizimodo editor Athina Mallis to head up their masthead.  How it happened for nextmedia At midnight on April 1, nextmedia’s CRN Australia domain switched to te

Consumer Technology publication Pickr was victorious at the 23rd Annual Samsung Australian IT Journalism Awards, winning the Lizzy in the Best Independent Coverage category.  Speaking to Influencing on the win, Pickr, founder and editor Leigh Stark, said, “it's going to take a while to wipe this giddy smile off this face. I hope everything I'm working on and planning for the site helps keep people intrigued and reading.” Pickr won the award for its content regarding “Pickr’s 2024 Back to School Laptop Guide, Apple AirPods 4 ANC and AirPods 4 reviewed: better different, Scripting sound: how AI could change what you listen to and Hands-on with Apple’s Vision Pro: almost transcendental.  Describing what went into the winning entries, Stark said, “my process is just to create. I’m excited about technology and go beyond the surface where I can. I can do a stock standard review or news piece, sure, or I can have fun and spend more time doing what I love. “And here's w

Debunks: ‘Screens’ - a collaboration between Cosmos Magazine and Nine Podcasts, won this year’s Best Audio Program at the Samsung Australian IT Journalism Awards.  Petra Stock, one of the producers behind the show, told Influencing, “it was pretty special for the series to be recognised among a pretty stellar shortlist, particularly as it was one of the last things Jacinta, Andrew and myself published at Cosmos. “We're proud of the series and hope the award might encourage more people to listen to it.” In Stock’s words, Debunks, “was a myth-busting science podcast”.  “The four-episode series on 'screens' released in February 2024 tackled some of the biggest questions and most persistent myths about screens - should parents worry about kids’ screen time, Is social media bad for mental health? Do violent video games lead to violence? And are streaming platforms making us watch more?” Stock said there was a particular direction for the Debunks: ‘Screens