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

The Journalists’ Union of Sikkim (JUS) held a meeting of its newly constituted Executive Committee in Gangtok recently, chaired by JUS president Prabin Khaling. The meeting discussed organisational matters, upcoming programmes and plans to strengthen participation among members. The committee decided to honour newspaper publishers in Sikkim in memory of late Kaizer Bahadur Thapa, recognising their contribution to journalism and newspaper publishing in the state. The date and other details will be announced later. The committee also discussed the upcoming Indian Journalists Union (IJU) election and the participation of JUS members. Khaling proposed holding Executive Committee meetings in different districts to improve coordination and encourage wider participation. The proposal was approved. The JUS also decided to publish a journalism-focused article bulletin featuring content in English, Nepali and Hindi. The committee approved new membership applications but decided to keep t

Women journalists came together at a protest meeting at the Press Club of India on Friday, raising concerns over alleged harassment, threats and legal action faced by them while reporting on issues and bringing facts before the public. The meeting began with Pooja Mathur, a journalist with Red Chilli Live, sharing her experience following an FIR registered against her after she reported from the ground on the demolition of a mosque in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Speaking at the meeting, Mathur said journalists should not be intimidated for reporting from the ground. “File 100 cases instead of two. We are not going to be afraid. Our journalistic voice cannot be weakened through cases and pressure. We will not step back from our responsibility to show the truth and ask questions,” The Observer Post quoted. Mathur also rejected the suggestion that independent journalists should be dismissed as YouTubers. The meeting also heard from journalist Divya Srivastava, who spoke about al