An undercover investigation by two journalists from Dainik Bhaskar has triggered widespread discussion in Bihar after exposing an alleged prostitution racket operating under the cover of orchestra units in Siwan district. The investigation, which later went viral online, reportedly prompted police raids across multiple districts in Bihar, with authorities rescuing several girls from such networks. Speaking to Influencing India, Manish Mishra, lead investigative reporter for Dainik Bhaskar in Bihar and Jharkhand, said the story began with a tip-off regarding alleged illegal activities operating through orchestra groups in Siwan. “As an investigative journalist, I discussed the story and proposed an undercover operation, which the senior editor supported,” he said. Mishra, who has worked in journalism since 2007 and handled multiple investigations in the past, said the team understood the risks involved from the beginning. According to him, nearly five months were s

The theft of crime journalist Romel Chakma’s Yamaha bike has triggered criticism of police in Tripura over alleged inaction and raised wider concerns about the safety of journalists. Chakma reported that his bike, parked at his residence, was stolen on the night of May 7. He discovered the theft early the next morning and immediately filed a complaint at the nearest police station. According to Chakma, police acted promptly, verified CCTV footage, and identified a suspect. However, the main accused remains untraced. The incident has sparked debate among journalists and local residents about the adequacy of police response and the broader issue of journalist safety in the state.

A petition has been filed in Telangana seeking faster renewal of journalists’ accreditation cards, citing delays and disputes over amendments under G.O. 252. The Telangana High Court previously extended the validity of existing cards until June 16, 2026, while hearing related cases, IND Today reported. Journalist associations have raised concerns about transparency and representation in the accreditation process, arguing that the delays hinder professional recognition and welfare. The petition underscores continuing friction between media bodies and the state government over accreditation rules and their implementation.

Former Junkee Media colleagues Alice Griffin and Jannah Anderson have launched Coping, a new podcast and studio aimed at creatives, thinkers and chronically online audiences trying to make sense of modern life. The project combines a podcast about culture, wellness, self-improvement and the pressures of modern life with a studio designed for creative events, workshops, panels, shoots, filming and podcast production.   Anderson said Coping grew out of conversations the pair had been having for some time. “Alice and I did work together in a previous business and in that context naturally found ourselves having conversations about the pressures we all face in modern life,” she said. “We are so excited to be bringing those conversations to life in the Coping podcast through a cultural lens as well as coming together with our broader podcast community and broader creative network in our new Coping studio, where we are now in Surry Hills, Sydney on Gadigal lan

In villages where girls are often still discouraged from dreaming beyond marriage or traditional roles, independent journalist Neetu Singh is helping young rural women imagine a different future, one where they tell stories instead of remaining unheard within them. Through the Meera Fellowship, Singh trains women from non-journalism backgrounds to report on issues within their own communities, encouraging them to see journalism not just as a profession, but as a way to raise voices often ignored by mainstream media. The fellowship is deeply personal. Born in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur Dehat district, Singh grew up in a conservative environment where girls’ education was not always encouraged. The region was frequently associated with stories around Phoolan Devi, and many families believed that giving girls too much freedom or education could lead them “in the wrong direction.” “I was born in a family where my mother had studied only till Class 5, while my father was a teach

The Guardian’s Climate and Environment reporter Petra Stock says PRs are more likely to get her attention with a strong email than a phone call. Speaking on Influencing Insider, Stock said email is the best way to pitch her, given the pace of daily news at The Guardian. “I prefer email to phone calls. I do love chatting to people, but in my job at The Guardian, I’m churning out a story almost every day. So there’s a lot of crunch, and emails are really good,” she said. Stock said during her appearance that photos and videos also help when pitching. She added that she was also interested in positive stories that bring joy.  She’s also keeping an eye out for stories that are different from her usual reporting.  “It could be something that we haven't covered a lot, or a new stat that allows us to look at an issue that doesn't get a lot of airtime. “If something comes in that allows me to shine a light on something t