Seamus Byrne joins Influencing as Tech Editor-at-Large
By Phil Sim in Media News on Tuesday, 11th February 2020 at 11:28amComment from Influencing CEO Phil Sim
It gives me great pleasure to announce that Seamus Byrne has joined our team as Editor-at-Large to drive the reboot of our technology media and comms vertical.
Way back when I launched the MediaConnect business in 2000, we began with a website called ITJourno. I’d been a technology journalist and I thought there was a need for a website that made it easier for tech journalists to work with the PR community and vice versa.
Over the years, our business has grown and diversified. We scaled beyond tech and now do all kinds of cool, clever techie stuff in media engagement and monitoring.
However, the ITJourno community is still where my heart lies.
So in the year where we will celebrate our 20th anniversar...
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Karl Stefanovich back on screen
By Tony Bosworth in Media News on Friday, 23rd January 2026 at 2:59pm
TV interviewer and TV personality Karl Stefanovic is about to go unfiltered on YouTube with a new podcast series airing from this Sunday.
The former Today host is launching a digital show to target a 'man-sized' content gap in the marketplace and he’s kicking it off this Sunday with a live, no-holds-barred interview with Pauline Hanson.
According to his team, the 'beast' is officially off the leash.
Keshnee Kemp at August One, who heads the marketing strategy agency working with Stefanovic, explained on LinkedIn the genesis of the new show.
“This partnership with Karlos started first as a conversation on holidays - an idea that's been in Karl's brain for years,” said Kemp.
“He absolutely loves people - talking to people and bringing out the nuances and very human experience of their stories. He loves long-form conversations.
“We decided to do it together. August One on marketing & content, Karl on being
Compass Communications Secures PR mandate for Muttley Crew Pet Treats
By Staff Writer in Media News on Friday, 23rd January 2026 at 3:02pm
Compass Communications has been named the public relations agency for Muttley Crew, a Bangalore-based premium pet food brand focused on health and nutrition. The agency will handle the brand’s communications to increase its visibility and promote its pet treat offerings.
Founder and CEO Smriti Thomas said that Muttley Crew is committed to providing the best for pets and is excited to work with Compass Communications to strengthen the brand’s identity and reach dog lovers across India.
Compass Communications co-founder Rohan Srinivasan said the agency is happy to support a brand that values quality and innovation in the pet food space.
Compass Communications, co-founded by Rohan Srinivasan and Rafi Q Khan, works with clients across the BFSI, automotive, technology, education, luxury, real estate and healthcare sectors in major Indian cities.
Journalist kidnapped, assaulted in Patna
By Staff Writer in Media News on Friday, 23rd January 2026 at 2:46pm
Journalists in Bihar are increasingly becoming targets of violence, and the latest incident underlines the risks they face. On the evening of January 21, journalist Sudhir Kumar was allegedly kidnapped near Yashpal Sweets on Khagaul Road in the Phulwarisharif area of Patna. Four unidentified men in a black Scorpio, reportedly without a number plate, abducted him.
During the attack, Kumar was beaten, verbally abused, and threatened with death while being forced to quit journalism. He was also robbed of Rs 35,000 before being abandoned on the roadside near Beur Tej Pratap Nagar.
The Phulwarisharif police acted swiftly after receiving information about the incident and rescued Kumar within four hours. The journalist has filed a formal complaint, following which an FIR was registered. Sub-Inspector Deepak Kumar has been assigned to investigate the case. Authorities are examining CCTV footage near the crime scene to identify the vehicle and the attackers, Patna Press reported.
AIJSC conference in Aligarh demands journalist protection law across India
By Staff Writer in Media News on Friday, 23rd January 2026 at 2:44pm
Journalists at the All India Journalists Safety Committee (AIJSC) divisionalâlevel conference on January 23 demanded the implementation of a Journalist Protection Law in Uttar Pradesh and across the country, The Times of India reported.
Addressing the gathering, Shahi Gupta said AIJSC aims to provide a common platform for journalists and push for nationwide enforcement of the law, citing its implementation in Chhattisgarh in 2023. District president Akash Soni highlighted the rising incidents of attacks and intimidation against journalists, stressing the need for collective grassroots action.
State coordinator (Youth Wing) Khaliq Ansari noted that the committee has been active in multiple states and is striving to replicate the Chhattisgarh model elsewhere.
Speakers underlined the role of journalists in strengthening democracy, emphasising that fearless and responsible journalism remains essential for democratic accountability despite growing challenges.
The programme was at
IJU, Mizoram govt discuss strengthening journalism and national visibility for Northeast
By Staff Writer in Media News on Friday, 23rd January 2026 at 2:42pm
A delegation from the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) met Mizoram’s Minister for Information, Public Relations, Printing, and Stationery, Pu B. Lalchhanzova, on Wednesday to discuss issues of news dissemination and strengthening cooperation between journalists in Mizoram and the rest of the country.
The IJU team was led by President Pu Geetartha Pathak, along with Vice President Pu Basheer Madela and Office Secretary Sunita Devi. The meeting focused on improving coordination and professional collaboration between Mizoram journalists and their counterparts nationwide.
Welcoming the delegation, Minister Lalchhanzova urged them to closely observe Mizoram’s progress across sectors during their visit and highlight these developments in their reports. He stressed that news from Mizoram and the wider northeastern region receives limited space in national media, and called for stronger efforts to bring the region’s issues and achievements into the national spotlight.
He also underlin
THE BRIEF: Light will win
By Tony Bosworth in Media News on Friday, 23rd January 2026 at 6:13am
Say hello to Friday and there's plenty of coverage this morning on Australia's National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Bondi massacre, with The Sydney Morning Herald devoting half of its front page to a large picture seen here - taken by Dean Sewell - of folks gathering at Bondi Pavilion and the heading 'LIGHT WILL WIN", with extensive coverage inside by on page 6 by Ben Cubby reporting from the Opera House.
The Australian also goes big on the memorial event, again invoking the light with a front page picture of folks lighting candles and the headline 'Deeply sorry': PM's vow as nation looks to the light'. Main coverage in The Oz by Stephen Rice, Lachlan Leeming, Joanna Panagopoulos and Bimini Plesser.
The other big story is of course the Coalition's meltdown. It's rather like watching a soap opera where they keep repeating the same drama over and over again until even the most avid viewer goes, "
DB Corp eyes expansion of school newspaper reading policy beyond UP and Rajasthan
By Staff Writer in Media News on Thursday, 22nd January 2026 at 10:46pm
After Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan made newspaper reading compulsory in state‑run schools, leading print media group DB Corp is now in talks with other states to introduce similar policies, Best Media Info reported.
Rajasthan’s school education department has directed government schools to include 10 minutes of newspaper reading during morning assemblies to build reading habits, improve vocabulary, and enhance awareness. Schools must subscribe to newspapers in both Hindi and English, with costs covered by the Rajasthan School Education Council. Students are also expected to learn five new words daily and discuss editorials and major news topics.
Uttar Pradesh has introduced a similar rule, aimed at reducing screen time and improving students’ grasp of current affairs.
DB Corp promoter‑director Girish Agarwal said the initiative was encouraging and could lay a strong foundation for children to become regular newspaper readers. He added that discussions are ongoing wi
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