The Indian government has issued a formal warning to the BBC over its reporting on the Pahalgam terror attack, raising concerns with Jackie Martin, BBC's India head, about what it called a misleading headline: “Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack on tourists.” Officials argue the headline wrongly implied Indian involvement in the deaths. According to The Hindu, the government also objected to the BBC's use of the word ‘militants’ instead of ‘terrorists’, and is closely monitoring the broadcaster’s coverage of the incident. Separately, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has advised all media outlets to refrain from live coverage of defence operations and troop movements. The advisory, issued in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, urged news organisations to exercise “vigilance, sensitivity and responsibility in coverage, upholding the highest standards in the service of the nation.” India suspects Pakistani involvement in t

The Pahalgam terrorist attack not only shook the nation but also reignited scrutiny over how national crises are reported across television, print and digital media. As headlines and hashtags shaped public sentiment, questions emerged about whether the media prioritised facts or fuelled fear. Influencing India spoke to senior journalists and media professionals to unpack the media narratives surrounding the tragedy. Nilesh Khare, editor-in-chief of Sakal Media Group, observed that overall, the coverage reflected humanity and balance. “Many news channels presented human-centric coverage of the attack, whereas some regional channels leaned towards sensationalism,” he said. “The opposition also took a balanced stand and the media houses are positive about the government’s reaction to the incident.” Addressing criticisms about repetitive visuals on television, Khare added, “The biggest news of the day is telecast repeatedly. This is not to create sensation but to present

Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy and Electricity, Prohibition and Excise Minister V. Senthilbalaji resigned on Sunday (April 27, 2025) night after courts made strong remarks against them. Hot off the Press In the case of Senthilbalaji, a Supreme Court Bench took objection to his induction into the Cabinet and Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan on April 23 said Senthilbalaji’s continuation as a Minister placed him in a position of influence with regard to witnesses, and he could derail the trial, reported The Hindu News Bureau. Justice Oka remarked that the Bench would even record in its order that it had been a “mistake” to grant him bail and observed that he had been given bail not on the merits of the case but because the court stood up for the fundamental right to personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. Former minister Ponmudy ran into trouble after the Madras High Court directed its Registry to take up a suo motu writ petition with respect to a d

TikTok Trending, the world’s first official TikTok radio station, is expanding to Canberra in 2025, ARN and TikTok have announced, according to B&T. Launched in 2021, TikTok Trending streams 24/7 via iHeartRadio and DAB+, delivering a curated mix of trending music, hashtags and themes shaped by TikTok user activity. Now available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra, it reaches more than 250,000 under-30s across Australia each week, offering advertisers a growing platform to engage younger audiences. Corey Layton, ARN’s Head of Digital Audio, said, “TikTok Trending has redefined Australian radio by blending TikTok’s cultural influence with the reach of broadcast.” Brett “Nozz” Nossiter, ARN’s Head of Content – Digital Radio, described the Canberra launch as “just the beginning of what’s next in 2025.” Ollie Wards, TikTok AUNZ’s Director of Music, added, “TikTok Trending brings viral and iconic tracks to life through a continuous, 24/

Journalists Osman Faruqi and Scott Mitchell have launched Lamestream, a new independent podcast and newsletter tackling what the duo say is 'the crises facing Australia’s media landscape'. Each week, the show will dive into issues such as declining trust in legacy outlets, the ABC’s struggles with younger audiences, the rise of influencers replacing journalists, and the impact of global politics, including Donald Trump’s influence on Australian media culture. Faruqi and Mitchell, who have held key roles at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Schwartz Media, and the ABC, bring considerable experience to the project, having produced programs like 7am, The Culture, The Drop, You Can’t Ask That, and Hungry Beast. Faruqi said the idea for Lamestream was born from witnessing the industry “crumble from within” over the past decade. “Young Australians deserve a news product that’s smart, accessible and doesn’t talk down to them,” he said. “Legacy media has largely g

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory urging OTT platforms and digital publishers to make their content more accessible for people with disabilities. This follows a Delhi High Court order in the Akshat Baldwa & Anr vs Maddock Films and Ors case, which pointed out the lack of inclusive features like captions and assistive tools on streaming platforms. The ministry reminded platforms of their responsibilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the IT Rules, 2021. It stressed that equal access to entertainment and information is not just ethical—it’s a legal requirement. The advisory highlights the need for features such as same-language subtitles, audio descriptions, and navigation tools that cater to people with visual or hearing impairments. It also cites the Code of Ethics, which encourages digital publishers to make “reasonable efforts” to improve accessibility.

PRmoment India has launched the PR Confidence Survey 2025 to assess the outlook of the public relations industry amid rapid shifts driven by AI adoption, talent movement, and the changing media landscape. With an increasing number of solo PR consultancies emerging in India, led by seasoned professionals, the survey invites responses from both PR agencies and in-house communications teams. Participants are encouraged to share their expectations and perspectives on the future of PR in 2025. The survey aims to map the optimism, challenges, and evolving priorities shaping the communications industry.