The Journalist Social Welfare Committee held its monthly meeting at its district office in UP's Bhulawai, Sambhal, where members discussed journalist unity, organisational strengthening and the responsibilities of journalism. Led by National President Suraj Bhan Baghel and District President Suresh Dayal, the meeting brought together committee officials and members from across the district. Speakers highlighted the role of journalists in raising public issues and stressed the importance of fair, fearless and public-interest journalism. Members were urged to work together with coordination and discipline, raise journalists’ concerns through the organisation and strengthen engagement with government and administrative authorities. The meeting also discussed upcoming organisational activities and emphasised the role of journalists in representing vulnerable and marginalised communities. Officials and members present included Vinod Raghav, Rajkumar, Mahendra Singh Maurya, Sa

Tuesday, 22 September 2026 #1  ·  Times Business  ·  Data story / In-depth feature GST rate rejig helps consumers upgrade By Aabhas Sharma & Asmita Dey   ·   The Times of India, New Delhi  ·  Page 18 One year after GST rate cuts on automobiles, consumer electronics and FMCG goods, the story tracks the uneven impact across sectors: passenger vehicle dispatches hit a record 12.7 lakh units in Q1 FY26 and two-wheelers rose 20%, but TV shipment growth stalled after the Iran war triggered uncertainty, and FMCG volume gains are now being eroded by rising input costs. The report draws on Siam data, Counterpoint Research trackers, and on-record statements from Intex and Liberty Shoes executives. Uses a one-year anniversary peg to compile cross-sector data — autos, TVs, FMCG — with named corporate sources and quarterly granularity, delivering a genuinely analytical assessment of policy impact rather than

A Delhi court directed the Cyber Police Station in New Delhi to register an FIR against journalist Karishma Aziz over alleged derogatory posts and videos targeting Hindu religious figures, historical personalities and India on X, according to The News Mill.   Chief Judicial Magistrate Mridul Gupta passed the order following a complaint by advocate Amita Sachdeva, stating that the allegations disclosed cognizable offences requiring investigation. The complaint cited posts allegedly mocking a Hindu saint’s disability, criticising  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and making derogatory remarks about Hinduism, historical figures and Veer Savarkar. The Cyber Police said the content also constituted political and historical commentary, criticism and satire, and found no evidence of deliberate communal incitement.  The court directed the SHO to register the FIR and submit a compliance report within a week, while clarifying that the order does not establish the allegatio

The Press Club of India commemorated journalist Maulvi Muhammad Baqar’s 169th martyrdom anniversary on September 16, highlighting his contributions to field reporting, press freedom and inclusive journalism.  Speakers including Wajahat Habibullah, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Gautam Lahiri and Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty discussed Baqar’s role during the 1857 uprising and connected his legacy with contemporary issues of press freedom, transparency and access to information.  India Tomorrow Chief Editor Syed Khalique Ahmed called for greater recognition of Baqar in journalism curricula and research, describing him as a pioneer of investigative and on-the-ground reporting. The programme was moderated by senior journalist A.U. Asif.  Image credit: India Tomorrow 

The Allahabad High Court issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on journalist Satyam Verma’s habeas corpus petition challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) over his alleged involvement in the Noida workers’ protest.  Verma’s counsel argued that he was in Lucknow when the alleged violence occurred in Noida on April 13, citing CCTV footage and call records. The petition also challenges the authorities’ characterisation of his professional income as “riot funding” and argues that the dispute concerned labour demands rather than a threat to public order.  A bench of Justices Atul Sreedharan and Achal Sachdev sought the state’s response and posted the matter for October 7. Verma has sought quashing of the detention orders, release and compensation.

AI Generated Image  India has no dedicated national law specifically designed to protect journalists from violence and intimidation linked to their work. As journalist organisations renew calls for stronger safeguards, media professionals remain divided over whether India needs a separate Journalist Protection Act or better enforcement of existing laws. The debate has gained fresh attention after the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) called for a state-level Journalist Protection Act modelled on Maharashtra's legislation. Maharashtra has had a specific law addressing violence against media persons and damage or loss to media institutions and their property since 2019. The legislation prohibits violence against media persons, provides penalties and compensation provisions, and contains safeguards against misuse. Elsewhere, journalists depend on constitutional protections, including freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a), alongside the cr

  Payal Mehta, a senior journalist with CNN-News18, passed away in the early hours of Sunday (September 20, 2026) in Mumbai. Mehta, 46, was visiting Mumbai when she developed uneasiness early in the morning. She was rushed to a hospital, where she later passed away. In a post on X, senior journalist Sheela Bhatt said Mehta developed uneasiness during her visit to Mumbai and was taken to a hospital around 2 a.m. "Before any treatment could be administered, her pulse went silent," Bhatt said. Mehta's former colleagues remembered her as a hardworking journalist who was willing to take on different beats and constantly learn. She was among the few journalists whose coverage of the Parliament proceedings was appreciated by leaders cutting across party lines.  Anju Grover, an independent journalist and managing committee member of the Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC), said she knew Mehta from the early days of her journalism career. Mehta had joined Focus TV and was part of Grove