The Delhi High Court has held that private media houses perform a "public function" and can be taken to a High Court for violating an individual's right to privacy, a finding media lawyers say could widen the avenues through which citizens sue the press. On July 1, a two-judge bench of Justices C Hari Shankar and O P Shukla upheld a 2013 single-judge order directing TV Today Network to pay Rs 5 lakh in compensation. The order concerned a 2005 Aaj Tak broadcast that disclosed details identifying a minor sexual assault victim, including the accused father's name and designation, the family's address and home, and the mother's voice, after the mother had refused on record to engage with the crew. At issue was whether a writ petition under Article 226 could be filed against a private television channel. Such writs have traditionally been available against the State or bodies discharging public duties, leaving private companies outside their reach. Dra

Aaj Tak has introduced Vertical TV, billed as India’s first vertical live news platform, built for mobile viewing. The channel became the first Hindi broadcaster to deliver a real‑time vertical television experience at scale. Powered by a proprietary system, the platform automatically reframes horizontal broadcasts into vertical format, ensuring anchors, graphics and breaking news remain clear on smartphone screens. It allows multiple content layers to appear seamlessly on a single vertical feed without compromising editorial quality. Available on the Aaj Tak app and YouTube, the format is designed around natural mobile viewing behaviour. Kalli Purie, Vice Chairperson and Group Editor‑in‑Chief of the India Today Group, said the launch combines technology with audience insights to create a future‑ready format for mobile news consumption.

The Sports Journalists Association of Nagpur (SJAN) marked World Sports Journalists Day on July 2 by distributing volleyball equipment to players of Vivekananda Nagar Hindi Primary School. Senior volleyball coach Sunil Hande and Sandhya Bhagat from the school attended the event. Hande pledged his commitment to training the players and building a strong team. The association also felicitated children of SJAN members who excelled in the Class 10 and Class 12 examinations, including Gargi Kunte, Samruddhi Ramteke, and Devang Singh. The programme began with a tribute to veteran journalist T.B. Golhar and was attended by SJAN members and their families.

Senior journalist Rajagopal has finally received his renewed passport after a wait of more than 100 days, a delay that drew widespread support and outcry from the media fraternity. His renewal had reportedly been stalled after the Kolkata Police submitted an adverse report, citing the deletion of his name from the voters’ list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Sharing the update in a message circulated by journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta on X on July 4, Rajagopal expressed gratitude: “I received my renewed passport a few hours ago,” he wrote, thanking colleagues and friends for amplifying the issue. However, Rajagopal stressed that the larger policy question remains unresolved. He pointed out that neither the Central Government nor the West Bengal Government has clarified whether data collected under the SIR can be used to restrict access to public services such as passport renewal. Asked if he felt victorious, Rajagopal replied: “I continue to feel as despond

Three high-profile athletes are battling the ABC in the NSW Supreme Court to prevent the release of “crude descriptions of sexual acts and domestic violence” from a group chat between the three. The Sydney Morning Herald’s Kishor Napier-Raman revealed yesterday that the athletes who are “highly credentialed in their sport” are suing the ABC to stop sports reporter Marnie Vinall from revealing details of their group chat messages. The men have successfully obtained temporary orders barring the ABC from publishing the messages or revealing their identities, occupation of employer on the basis that the messages were obtained via a breach of confidence, the report said. The ABC is warning that there is more at stake than this case alone, and that it could have lasting consequences. “The ABC stands by the conduct of its journalists acting in the public interest. The ABC is also concerned about the broader ramifications this decision may have on inve

China’s Pacific missile test sparks regional alarm after Australia–Fiji pact Multiple front pages lead with China test-firing a nuclear-capable missile into the South Pacific soon after Australia signed a mutual defence agreement with Fiji, prompting condemnation from Canberra and partners including New Zealand and Japan. The timing is being read as strategic signalling in a tightening contest for influence in the Pacific, raising fresh questions about deterrence, escalation risk and Australia’s security posture. Covered by: The Australian, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review, Courier Mail, Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Advertiser, The West Australian. Wyong child death triggers scrutiny of child protection decision-making The alleged murder of a four-year-old boy by his mother has become a major national human-interest and accountability story, with reporting that multiple prior child safety reports were made before the death. The NSW Families Minis

News Tamil 24x7 is set to expand its television news portfolio with the launch of an English news channel, marking its entry into the English language news broadcasting segment. Ahead of the launch, the broadcaster has begun recruiting for key editorial and production roles. Open positions include chief editor, news producers, sub editors, visual editors, social media executives, and news anchors. According to the recruitment announcement, candidates with at least two years of experience in satellite news channels are preferred for most editorial positions, while both freshers and experienced professionals are eligible to apply for news anchor roles.