The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) draft Seventh Amendment to interconnection regulations has prompted a divide between broadcasters and TV distributors. The draft, open for comments since September 22 with an extended deadline of October 14, introduces structural changes that could reshape compliance from April 1, 2026. According to Bestmediainfo, the amendment mandates annual audits of all addressable systems for the preceding financial year, with reports shared with contracted broadcasters by September 30. Disputes can escalate to special audits cleared by TRAI, with costs borne by the broadcaster and the distributor selecting one auditor from three proposed names. Broadcasters can disconnect signals within three weeks if systems are non-compliant. Controversially, the draft allows broadcasters to send one representative to audits, while distributors with ≤30,000 subscribers can opt out of the annual review. It also reinforces BECIL’s role in the auditor fr

In a significant leadership move, Mastercard has appointed Accenture veteran Jill Kramer as its next chief marketing and communications officer, succeeding Raja Rajamannar, who has led the company’s marketing efforts since 2013, according to E4m. Kramer will officially assume the role on December 1, while Rajamannar will transition to a new position as a senior fellow at Mastercard. At Accenture, Kramer served as chief marketing & communications officer, leading a global team of around 2,000 professionals. Her work focused on strengthening the Accenture brand and driving business growth. In 2023, Forbes recognized her as one of the “50 Most Influential CMOs.”

Image source: India Today and TOI; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   Widespread bursting of firecrackers beyond the time window permitted by Supreme Court on Diwali night drove Delhi’s air quality deeper into the ‘very poor’ category on Tuesday. The situation was similar in other major metros too. In Chennai, air quality in parts of Chennai turned ‘very poor’ on Monday, according to data released by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) though widespread showers due to northeast monsoon helped disperse pollutants on Deepavali day. Hyderabad also recorded a sharp increase in air and noise pollution during Diwali celebrations, with PM2.5 levels up by 86 per cent and PM10 by 68 per cent. While gaseous pollutants remained within permissible limits, noise levels spiked across industrial, commercial, and residential zones. Hot off the Press Abhishek Jha and Jasjeev Gandhiok for Hindustan Times reported that Delhi’s first Diwali with legal firecrackers in years delivered

The Guwahati Press Club (GPC) conducted its triennial election on Tuesday, October 21, to elect a new executive committee. The polling process went off smoothly. The election will decide the office bearers of the Guwahati Press Club for the 2025–27 term. According to The Assam Tribune, twenty candidates contested for ten key posts in one of Assam’s most prominent journalist bodies. The club’s Election Committee stated that 1,114 members were eligible to vote this year. Polling officially concluded in the evening, with 934 journalists casting their votes, marking a strong turnout of 83.84% from the journalistic community. Counting of votes will take place on Wednesday, October 22, and the results are expected to be announced later in the evening. Returning Officer Gautam Sharma released the final list of candidates, highlighting a competitive field. The presidential contest features Khagen Kalita of Crosscurrentand Bhuban Chetia of Prag News. Four candidates are in the fray

  The Walkley Foundation has announced the finalists for the 70th annual Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism. The Awards recognise and reward the best in the craft and set the industry standard for excellence.   Shona Martyn, CEO of the Walkley Foundation, said: “For 70 years, the Walkley Awards have recognised excellence in Australian journalism. Starting with just five categories in 1956 – the same year that television arrived in Australia – the awards have expanded to cater for new technologies and styles of journalistic endeavour. What hasn’t changed is the commitment to quality public interest journalism as exemplified by the finalists announced today. “In another extraordinary year for news both locally and internationally, these finalists have been judged by expert journalists in each field in an exhaustive first round judging process. The winners will be selected by the Walkley Judging Board, chaired by Sally Neighbour.  “My congratulations to the

Doordarshan Kendra, Lucknow, will confer the Doordarshan Uttar Pradesh Award on eminent individuals from the state who have brought recognition to Uttar Pradesh through exceptional achievements in literature, music, medicine, agriculture, and sports.   The awards will be presented during the Foundation Day celebrations of Doordarshan Kendra, Lucknow. A selection committee comprising senior and distinguished scholars will evaluate nominations and determine the recipients.   Awardees will receive a certificate of appreciation, a memento, and a garment. No cash prize will be included. In categories where fewer than three entries are received, the award will not be conferred.   Eligibility excludes employees of offices under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, their relatives, and individuals who have previously received the D.D. UP Award.   For further information, contact Doordarshan Kendra, Lucknow, 24-Ashok Marg, Lucknow – 226001. Phone: 0522-2288415.  

Nearly half of global professionals surveyed say they’d be comfortable working under an AI boss, according to new research unveiled by communications consultancy Hotwire. Early findings from a global study of 900 working professionals (full-or part-time employed, full-time self-employed), conducted by Hotwire PR and ROI DNA in partnership with the House of Beautiful Business, found 43 per cent were fine being managed by AI, while 86 per cent said they were comfortable managing an AI employee.  The results were released at Hotwire’s AI & Agency: A First Look at Agentic Organisations breakfast event in Sydney on October 15, which explored how AI is reshaping workplaces, creativity, and communications. The panel featured Bernice Muncaster, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications for DXC Technology (APJ-MEA), Scott King, Principal Strategist for Growth and Innovation at Adobe APAC, Edson Porto, AI champion at Hotwire Australia, and Andrew Birmingham, Martech Editor a