Albanese under fire as AUKUS dissent grows Anthony Albanese is facing rising internal Labor unease and crossbench pressure over Australia’s commitment to the AUKUS submarine pact, sharpening the political risk around defence spending and strategic alignment with the US and UK. The dispute signals a potential fault line inside government on national security, with implications for Australia’s long-term deterrence posture and budget priorities. Covered by: The Australian. Minimum wage surge reignites inflation and rate-hike fears The Fair Work Commission’s decision to lift award wages and the minimum wage from July is being framed as major cost-of-living relief for low-paid workers, but also as a fresh inflation risk. Business groups and some economists warn it could flow into prices and add pressure on the RBA, while unions argue it’s a necessary catch-up after years of real-wage pain. Covered by: Australian Financial Review, The Age, Courier Mail, Daily Telegraph. Budget sc

For decades, Television Rating Points (TRPs) have been the currency of India's television industry, influencing advertising revenue, programming strategies and increasingly, editorial decisions. As competition for audience attention intensifies across television, digital platforms, and social media, the influence of ratings has become a subject of growing debate. While broadcasters view TRPs as essential for business sustainability, journalists and industry observers continue to raise concerns about transparency, representation, and the impact of ratings-driven decision-making on news coverage. Dr Anubha Jain, senior journalist at ETV Bharat, said audience engagement often depends on storytelling rather than subject matter alone. "While editorial judgment remains central to journalism, audience analytics are increasingly shaping how stories are selected, timed, and presented. In my experience covering science and technology as a journalist, I have observed that even highly comp

American journalist Sari Botton left her job assuming another role would soon – or at least eventually – follow. Botton had spent decades as a writer and editor, including as an essays editor for Longreads. She had experience, judgement and a track record. But like many journalists, especially those of a certain age, she found the industry she loved no longer loved her back. “At 54 I left one job assuming I’d be able to get another,” Botton told Influencing. “Then I had difficulty even getting interviews at places where I should have been a shoo-in.” When Botton did manage to land a first-round interview, they rarely went well. “I was being interviewed by people 25 years younger than me, and they were speaking to me in condescending ways, saying things like, ‘Are you sure that after all these years it’s not time for you to move onto something else?’” Botton said. “I didn’t get second interviews,

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan's recent call for "constructive journalism" has triggered debate among media professionals, with some senior journalists arguing that such journalism cannot exist without press freedom and the ability to hold those in power accountable. Speaking at the 140th anniversary celebrations of Malayalam daily Deepika in Kerala, Radhakrishnan said constructive journalism was essential for guiding society and strengthening public confidence. He argued that positive developments should receive greater media attention so that young people are exposed to the right information and role models. However, some journalists say the discussion cannot be separated from broader concerns about media freedom and the relationship between governments and independent journalism. Senior journalist K A Shaji said the Vice President's remarks reflect a wider attitude towards the media. "He is the Vice President of India and his attitude reflects the gov

Tuesday, 2 June 2026 #1  ·  Nation  ·  Data story India nears maternal mortality goal, but progress slows By Anuja Bhargavan   ·   The Times of India  ·  Page Unknown India's maternal mortality ratio has declined significantly over two decades, but the latest data reveals a near-stall in progress and widening state-level contrasts. The report includes comparative data showing India trailing China badly on MMR benchmarks while beating most other neighbours. Several states have improved while others have slipped back, raising concerns about equity and the sustainability of gains. The story deploys original data visualisation across state-level comparisons and international benchmarks, moving well beyond a press-release summary to contextualise why the slowdown matters and which states are dragging national averages. The combination of trend charts, state-wise tables and a global gap graphic demonstrates genuin

A 26-year-old journalist working with Silchar-based newspaper and digital platform Barak Bani was allegedly assaulted by a group of men in Assam's Silchar on Thursday, May 28 evening. Reporter and anchor Raju Das alleged the attackers entered his office under the pretext of a discussion before assaulting him, causing serious head injuries, Hindustan Times reported. The assailants also reportedly vandalised the media office. Following an FIR, police registered a case and detained one suspect while reviewing CCTV footage to identify others. The media house claimed Das allegedly received threats for reports on gambling and illegal activities in the region. The Silchar Press Club has condemned the attack and announced plans to hold a protest demanding stronger safeguards to ensure journalists' safety.

Critical infrastructure and the intersection of cybersecurity and national security were among the topics Karissa Breen explored with former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on a recent KBKast episode. “I think it's really important to get more of a national security perspective from someone of his calibre, that filters down into technology and cybersecurity. So it was an interesting, unique point of view, but I thought he was a nice person to interview,” Breen told Influencing.   The episode comes as Breen says the podcast is moving “extremely upmarket” under the tagline “Cyber for the C-Suite”, with a greater focus on senior technology executives from major vendors and expanded event coverage. “I'm excited because I think that it's going to set a very different tone now in the space, and we're really owning that strategic/executive arena.” Breen said the interview stemmed from Turnbull's role as a strategic adviser to security firm Semperis, a positi