Meher Castelino, one of the earliest and most influential voices in Indian fashion journalism, has passed away at the age of 81. A trailblazer who helped define how fashion was reported and understood in India, she is remembered as both a chronicler and shaper of the industry. Castelino first came into the spotlight after winning Femina Miss India 1964, but it was her long career in fashion journalism that cemented her legacy. A former model who appeared in more than 2,000 shows, she brought rare insider insight to her writing. She served as Fashion Editor for publications such as Gentlemen’s Fashion Quarterly, Flair and Eve’s, and authored Fashion Musings, one of India’s early fashion books known for its sharp, witty Q&A format. Castelino was also the official fashion writer for Lakmé Fashion Week, documenting its designers, milestones and evolution, and creating an important written archive of contemporary Indian fashion. Colleagues and designers remember her for her

  The Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ) marked its 86th foundation day with a celebration honouring journalists and journalism students for their outstanding work. Meritorious students from Savitribai Phule Pune University were also recognised. Ashim Patil, Managing Director and CEO of Infotek Software and Systems Pvt. Ltd. (I-Tech), was the chief guest. He spoke on “The Impact of Changing Technology on Society,” urging that technology should benefit society, not just business profits. “Business may aim for money, but that should not be its only goal. Technology must create social value,” he said, adding that innovation should be affordable, durable, and accessible to all. Patil highlighted modern tools like RFID, NFC, AI, and digital systems for making processes more efficient and transparent. He cited examples like FASTag, which saves fuel, time, and improves road safety. He also stressed that while technology is ready, public awareness and civic sense remain key

  “According to a source” and its Hindi equivalent, “sutron ke anusar,” appear so routinely in news stories that readers often skim past them. Yet behind those few words lies one of journalism’s most delicate relationships: a bond built on trust, risk, and mutual responsibility. Anonymity is sometimes misread as secrecy. In practice, it often reflects courage. Many sources choose to stay unnamed not to hide, but to ensure that the truth reaches the public without exposing themselves or their families to retaliation. Protecting that anonymity is central to ethical journalism. “For them, the truth matters more than recognition. And for us, protecting both the truth and the people behind it is indispensable,” says Swati Naik, a senior journalist with nearly twenty-three years at Zee News. She recalls how sources early in her career trusted her with information they themselves could not carry alone, shaping the rigor with which she approached every story that followed.

The Editors Guild of India has congratulated senior journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty on her election as President of the Press Club of India, along with the newly elected panel of office bearers. In a statement, the Guild noted that Pisharoty’s election marks a historic moment for the Press Club of India, as it is the first time in its 68-year history that a woman journalist has been elected to the top post. Describing the development as a significant breach of the glass ceiling, the Guild said it reflected a positive shift within one of the country’s most prominent journalistic institutions. The Editors Guild recalled the long role played by the Press Club of India, along with press clubs across the country, in leading efforts to defend media freedom and work towards the welfare of journalists. It said these institutions have consistently stood at the forefront of issues affecting the profession. The Guild also expressed its intent to work closely with the new team at th

A delegation of journalists and public relations officers from Chhattisgarh visited the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly as part of an educational study tour. The delegation met Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani and discussed the role of media in a democracy, followed by a group photograph. During the visit, the journalists toured the Assembly museum, where they were briefed on the formation of Rajasthan, its democratic traditions, and the history of the Legislative Assembly. They also observed the proceedings from the visitors’ gallery to understand the functioning of the House, Khaskhbar reported.

For a government that routinely mocks the so-called Khan Market ecosystem, the Modi administration has grown strikingly comfortable outsourcing its messaging to urban, English-speaking influencers. In March 2024, DD National premiered India in Motion, a glossy documentary series showcasing the government’s work on roads, railways, and aviation. The face of the series was Kamiya Jani, one of India’s most recognisable travel influencers. Within hours of broadcast, the same episodes appeared on private YouTube channels linked to her media network. That single move triggered internal objections, raised questions of contract violation, and eventually ended in a quiet settlement by Prasar Bharati, India’s public broadcaster. Basant Kumar’s reporting for Newslaundry shows why this episode matters far beyond one television show. At the centre of the controversy lies a Rs 6.09-crore taxpayer-funded contract, two media companies and paperwork that appears to have b

Veteran consumer tech journo Alex Kidman is feeling honoured, albeit a little bit old he jokes, after being awarded the Kester Lifetime Achievement Award at the Consensus IT Writers Awards. “I've been very privileged, having the people I've been able to work with over the years, considering what's happened in consumer tech media, because sadly, there's a lot that doesn't exist anymore,” Kidman told Influencing.  “There are many opportunities that I had as a young and middle-aged journalist that aren't there anymore for new and upcoming journalists.” Having been a consumer tech journalist for over 25 years, Kidman said it was nice recognition to show “consumer tech journalism matters”. “There are very few consumer-first journalists who've won the award, so I love that it's recognition of what's done on the consumer end, and that it isn't meaningless. It has a lot of value for people.  Awarded last Monday night, Kidman said there had been many positive influences o