The Press Council of India (PCI) has issued a notice clarifying the procedure for obtaining a “No Dues Certificate” (NDC), cautioning publishers and newspaper owners against depositing levy fees online without first confirming their actual outstanding dues. In its advisory dated February 6, 2026, PCI said it had observed that some publishers were making payments through the PCI website payment gateway without ascertaining the exact amount payable and then seeking issuance of the NDC. The Council advised publishers who have not received a formal Demand Notice to contact the Levy Section before depositing levy fees, to confirm the precise amount due for their newspaper or periodical. PCI also stated that the 'No Dues Certificate' will be issued only to those publishers who have cleared all outstanding dues in full. Payments made in instalments or partial payments will not qualify for issuance of the certificate. For further clarification, publishers may contact the PCI Levy Sec

Adgcraft Communications secured the PR mandate for the second edition of Kalidas ka Kathaalok, the Great Indian Storytelling Festival organised by Samay Yaan in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). The two-day cultural event took place at Purana Qila, New Delhi, on February 7 and 8, 2026. The festival explored the literary world of Mahakavi Kalidasa through storytelling, theatre, music, and art, offering audiences a time-travel experience rooted in India’s civilisational heritage. Adgcraft joined as PR Partner, managing strategic and creative media communications to amplify the festival’s cultural narrative across platforms. Inspired by the works of Kalidasa, Kalidas ka Kathaalok carried the theme “Let’s time-travel to a Bharat, 2000 Years Ago.” The festival featured a grand stage, experience zones, ancient attars, Brahmi scripts, and Sur Samay Yaan, bridging classical heritage with modern sensibilities.

The South India Journalists Union (SIJU) has strongly condemned the growing attacks on journalists, saying media workers, especially in small towns and districts, are facing increasing threats, harassment and job insecurity amid worsening working conditions. In a statement issued on feb 4, SIJU said journalists are being forced to work for meagre salaries while taking serious professional risks, yet continue to discharge their duties with commitment. According to the Union, journalists working with 24/7 news channels and digital platforms in many districts are being subjected to pressure, intimidation and arbitrary employment practices. Media organisations, it said, are increasingly prioritising profit over people, leaving journalists vulnerable and unsupported. The union also cited recent instances where several journalists were removed from service without any proper explanation, creating fear and anxiety among reporters and camera persons across newsrooms. “Journalism is not

Yes, it seems the Pope is coming down-under, at least according to an exclusive by Josh Hanrahan which truly graces the front page of today's Daily Telegraph ('AMEN, SYDNEY'), complete with a pic of the waving pontiff. It's big news for Catholics, and anyone else who likes a spectacle, given there has been no papal visit to these shores for two decades, so Hanrahan reports. The visit is slated for 2028.     Also visiting, and it begins today, is the somewhat contentious arrival of Israel's president, Issac Herzog, for a four day trip to visit folks grieving over the Bondi attack which left 15 Jewish people dead. The Australian goes big on this with a main exclusive story (Plea for 'calm and respect') by NSW political correspondent Lachlan Leeming. The journo sets the tone in the first para: "Bondi beach massacre survivors have implored the nation and left wing activists to treat the visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog wi

  There was a time when every photograph demanded patience. Before digital cameras, before instant uploads and breaking news alerts, photojournalists worked with film, light meters, and darkrooms. Every frame cost money. Every mistake stayed. And every image carried intention. Senior freelance photojournalist Prashant Nakwe remembers those days clearly. “Film slowed you down and that was a good thing,” he says. “You didn’t just lift the camera and click. You’d first ask yourself, is this really worth a frame?” In the darkroom, mistakes couldn’t be undone. You learned to respect light after burning or underdeveloping a negative and realising there was no undo button. That discipline, Nakwe says, still shapes how he shoots today. “Even now, with all the technology in the world, I don’t blindly trust the camera. I trust my eye first. Film trained us to think before shooting. That’s something digital photographers have to consciously relearn.” In the film

Distribution platform operators (DPOs) and major TV distributors have welcomed the removal of broadcaster-driven audit powers under Regulation 15(2) while urging the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to adopt balanced, clear broadcast audit rules. Calling the revised broadcast audit framework balanced, DPOs said the change reduces compliance pressure and operational disruption. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has proposed updates to the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection Regulations, 2017, with implementation expected in 2026.   As per StoryBoard18, operators such as Tata Play, Dish TV and Bharti Telemedia said broadcaster-initiated audits created unnecessary costs and operational strain. They believe audits should be handled only by TRAI-approved auditors. DPOs also praised plans to align audit cycles with the financial year and provide relief to smaller operators.  However, broadcasters and industry associations

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) has announced the opening of applications for its Ph.D. Programme for the academic year 2025–26. Aspiring candidates in the fields of media, journalism, and mass communication have the opportunity to apply for this advanced research programme at one of India’s premier media education institutions.  The last date to submit applications is 10 February 2026, and interested candidates can apply online through the official IIMC portal at https://iimc.gov.in/admission-2025-2026   Candidates are advised to review the eligibility criteria and application guidelines carefully before applying.