If all goes as planned, the Odisha government may soon give pensions to journalists, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the state assembly on Thursday, December 4. He said that a proposal for providing pensions to journalists is under consideration. Majhi was responding to a question raised by BJP MLA Sidhant Mohapatra. He further said that journalists working in print, electronic, digital, and web media approved by the Information and Public Relations Department are already being provided health insurance coverage under the Gopabandhu Journalists’ Health Insurance Scheme. The scheme offers working journalists health insurance coverage that allows their families to access cashless treatment of up to Rs.5 lakh at empanelled hospitals, Odisha Bytes reported.

This year’s Best Australian Science Writing anthology has a strong human connection, according to co-editors and science communicators Zoe Kean and Tegan Taylor. Both said initially they didn’t go into the editing process with a particular focus in mind, instead choosing to simply let it rise to the surface.  “The [human connection] brought out the humanity in science, whether that was a focus on the researchers or the impact of the work and the impact of science on the community,” Kean told Influencing.  “There were quite a few health pieces that were quite patient-centred or healthcare worker-centred,” she added.  Published by UNSW Press, the editors singled out the Bragg Prize-winning piece as essential reading. “If you only read one piece, it should be Tabitha Carvan’s The Unexpected Poetry of PhD Acknowledgements. It’s the final piece in the anthology,” Taylor said. Kean also highlighted a feature on chirality. “I’d never heard of it before, and

  The JournalismAI Academy 2026 is open for registrations. The free, 5-week online training program is designed for journalists and media professionals across the Asia–Pacific region. Developed by the JournalismAI team at the London School of Economics (LSE) and powered by the Google News Initiative, the JournalismAI Academy 2026 helps newsrooms understand how artificial intelligence can transform reporting, storytelling, and workflows. Since 2021, the program has trained more than 180 professionals around the world. In 2026, the JournalismAI Academy 2026 returns to APAC with an expanded format open to organisations of all sizes. Key Dates & Details Program: JournalismAI Academy 2026 Region: Asia-Pacific (APAC) Format: Online, 5 weeks Start Date: February 2026 Cost: Free Organisers: JournalismAI at LSE Google News Initiative Application Deadline: 14 December 2025, 1

Morning, hope you all had a fine weekend and welcome to Monday. For sports fans - and that's just about everyone here when an Australian team is winning - well in this case unless you're English - the big news is Australia is now two-up in the five-test Ashes cricket series and several of the papers carry joyful pictures of the latest win in Brisbane at the Gabba.  The story which goes with the AP picture above is on The Australian's front page and story written by Will Stanton who takes us through the last day's play. And The Courier-Mail, ('BAZBALL IN ASHES') is another front page piece with a jubilant cricketing picture used big. English folk, avert your gaze.  Meanwhile, in other news...this week - Wednesday - sees the U16 social media ban come into force and that world-first gets some decent coverage this morning with the Herald Sun devoting two full pages inside the paper under it's 'Let Them Be Kids' banner which the N

  Senior video journalist Damodar passed away on Thursday, leaving his family, colleagues and the wider media fraternity in shock and grief. BRS president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao expressed deep sorrow at the loss, recalling Damodar’s long association with the Telangana movement. “Damodar was a dedicated journalist who played an active role in reporting the Telangana agitation since the party’s inception,” Rao said, adding that his passing while on duty was a great loss. Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar also paid tribute, writing on X: “It is deeply saddening to learn about the sudden passing of Hyderabad-based senior video journalist Damodar. His warm nature and unexpected demise have left colleagues and the wider media fraternity in profound grief. My heartfelt condolences to his family. Om Shanti.” Telangana Minister for R&B and Cinematography Komatireddy Venkat Reddy echoed the sentiment, calling Damodar’s untimely death

In yet another incident of manhandling and misbehaviour towards journalists, a case has been reported from the Kuthanur area of Palakkad district. The incident occurred when a journalist sought a response from Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala regarding Congress MLA Rahul Mankootathil, who has been accused in a sexual harassment case. When reporters questioned Chennithala about Mankootathil, Congress workers allegedly assaulted them. Other journalists who tried to intervene were also reportedly pushed. The incident took place at a time when the court was hearing Mankootathil’s anticipatory bail plea, Deshabhimani reported.

  House of Communication India, has won the nationwide PR mandate for PropertyPistol, a tech-driven real estate consulting company. The agency will help PropertyPistol improve its media visibility across key markets and strengthen how different stakeholders view the company as it enters its next phase of growth. As part of the mandate, House of Communication will handle corporate and business communication, create consumer-focused stories, increase product visibility, and support investor and industry engagement. The agency will also work on different storytelling formats to support PropertyPistol’s expansion plans. Ashish Narain Agarwal, Founder and MD of PropertyPistol, said the partnership comes at an important time as the company expands its presence and strengthens its connection with customers, developers, and channel partners. He added that they look forward to using House of Communication’s expertise to build a strong and trustworthy brand narrative. Shi