The Sikkim government, led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang‑Golay, has taken steps to support journalists while maintaining respect for editorial independence. Since assuming office in 2019, the administration has emphasised creating conditions for media professionals to work with dignity, security, and recognition. Key initiatives include the establishment of a permanent Press Club Bhawan, inaugurated in December 2020 after nearly two decades without a dedicated space and the provision of a 17‑seater vehicle to the Press Club in July 2023 to aid reporting across the state, Sikkim Express reported. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, journalists were recognized as frontline workers and given early vaccination access. In 2024, more than 90 accredited journalists were also covered under a state‑supported health insurance scheme at CRH Manipal. These measures highlight the government’s approach of empowering the press as the fourth pillar of democracy without shaping its v

At a time when the newspaper industry is gradually dissipating in India and rest of the world (except a handful of large players), the Maharashtra government's decision to complete the process of establishing Economic Development Corporations for journalists and newspaper vendors before the next legislative session is a welcome move for several reasons. According to media reports, the initiative seeks to support journalists and newspaper vendors who faced hardships during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, including job losses and delays in welfare schemes like the Balshastri Jambhekar pension plan. The scheme may also provide assistance for housing, education, and tax benefits for readers purchasing newspapers. What's really admirable, at least to this columnist, about this scheme is that while several economic schemes and benefits have been doled out for the journalist community, which is highly influential and is sought after by state and central governments, very few i

Modern wars are no longer confined to physical battlefields. Increasingly, they unfold across digital networks where misinformation, cyber scams, and synthetic media circulate at extraordinary speed. For journalists and media organisations, this shift has created new challenges. From deepfake videos and manipulated war footage to phishing campaigns exploiting humanitarian crises, the digital spillover from geopolitical conflicts is reshaping how newsrooms verify, report, and distribute information. The ongoing Middle East conflict has amplified these risks, creating a surge in misleading content and cyber threats that complicate both journalism and public understanding of events on the ground. Cybersecurity experts say geopolitical crises often trigger waves of opportunistic cybercrime. Influencing India reached out to David Hollingworth, Deputy Editor of Cyber Daily, columnist for Defence Connect and contributor to Australian Aviation for his comments, and he stated, “We&#

With an aim to support journalists and newspaper vendors, the Maharashtra government will complete the process of setting up Economic Development Corporations for them before the next legislative session, Minister Ashish Shelar informed the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Monday, FPJ reported. Shelar said the state government is currently working on the proposal and coordination among concerned departments is underway. The issue was raised through a calling attention motion by MLC Shrikant Bharatiya, who highlighted several concerns faced by journalists and newspaper vendors. These included the need to operationalise the proposed Economic Development Corporation, employment challenges in the newspaper industry after the COVID 19 pandemic, delays in implementing the scheme named after Balshastri Jambhekar, and demands for housing and financial assistance for journalists and their families. Replying on behalf of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shelar said the state cabinet had

The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court I in Kochi on Tuesday granted bail to C.G. Shankar and S. Mani, the journalist and cameraman with Republic TV who were arrested on Saturday for allegedly filming an Iranian warship in a restricted zone at Cochin Port. The two were taken into custody after authorities alleged that the crew had filmed the vessel in a sensitive area of the port without permission. Following their arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern and urged Indian authorities to drop all pending charges against the journalists. The organisation also said authorities should stop using espionage laws to criminalise legitimate journalism. The development was earlier reported by Influencing India on Monday, highlighting the arrest of the Republic TV journalists.

Editors Guild of India (EGi) will host an online conversation with Rasmus Kleis Nielsen on the theme “Wars, Mass Layoffs and AI: Journalism in the Age of Disruption” on March 12, 2026. The discussion will begin at 2:30 pm IST (10 am CET) and will focus on the changing global media landscape amid geopolitical conflicts, newsroom layoffs and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. Nielsen is a professor at the Department of Communication at the University of Copenhagen and the Director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. His research examines journalism, digital media and the future of news. The session is open for everyone but registration is compulsory for non-members. Registration link: https://forms.gle/u4hpeUbNaekKj1LA

The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has reportedly assisted four individuals over the past week whose social media profiles were allegedly censored without prior notice, an opportunity to be heard, or access to any reasoned order. According to the organisation, those affected include journalists and political cartoonists, raising concerns about the implications of such actions for free expression and press freedom. IFF said the censorship measures appear to be constitutionally flawed both in process and in substance. The organisation has also called for the immediate recall and review of recently issued blocking orders and the Sahyog censorship platform. It urged authorities to review current administrative practices governing such actions in line with the legal principles laid down in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India, while emphasising the need to reform website-blocking powers to protect lawful speech.