Influencing understands that CRN Australia will revert to being published by The Channel Company, with current publisher Nextmedia expected to re-brand its IT channel publishing business. The Channel Company, which owns the CRN parent brand, posted a job advertisement last week for a new editor for CRN Australia.  The description read that the editor would "be responsible for creating and leading editorial content in ANZ and growing the brand over time. This will involve producing a wide range of content, including news, interviews, and in-depth analyses.”  The Channel Company, which bought CRN from United Business Media in 2013, was acquired by private equity firm EagleTree Capital in 2021. Since then, it has embarked on a number of acquisitions, including buying Incisive Media, which published CRN under license in the UK. In October last year, it also launched CRN Asia. "The launch of CRN Asia extends the leading-edge news, trusted analysis, and in-demand events of CRN to a

Radio City’s AI RJ Sia, India’s first artificial intelligence-powered radio jockey, recently shared the spotlight with RJ Nidhi in a playful Instagram video where tech met style.  Nidhi sought Sia’s advice on an outfit for a Coldplay concert and the AI RJ delivered a trendy suggestion that left her thrilled. Sia also impressed Nidhi’s Tamil-speaking audience by effortlessly switching languages, showcasing its versatility and linguistic adaptability. RJ Sia, introduced by Radio City in 2023, hosts 'Say Na SIA', a non-fiction show that airs on Sundays from 7 to 8 PM. The show offers a mix of fashion, entertainment, trends and a relaxed vibe, catering to audiences in Hindi-speaking markets. Described on Radio City's website as “intelligent and committed to knowledge,” Sia embodies the future of AI in entertainment, seamlessly blending technology and creativity to engage listeners. Following the viral moment online, RJ Nidhi told Influencing India, “Sia is not availabl

US President Donald Trump continues to hog the media limelight in India and abroad with his flurry of executive orders. The one that has rattled the Indian diaspora and their families back home is the order seeking to revoke birthright citizenship by which children born in the US to non-citizen parents get automatic citizenship. The order, titled ‘Protecting the meaning and value of American citizenship’, flies in the face of the guarantee, rooted in common law and enshrined in the Constitution for more than 150 years, that anyone born in the United States is automatically an American citizen. Hot off the Press In his order, Trump said he would interpret the 14th Amendment differently than had been done in the past, arguing that it “has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States.” Federal agencies have been directed not to issue citizenship documents to such children, starting in 30 days, reported Lubna Kably for Th

Rugby league legend Mark Geyer has signed a three-year deal with 2GB following his departure from Triple M after 17 years, Geyer revealed in an Instagram post.  Starting in 2025, Geyer will co-host the new daily Drive program, Sydney Now, with Clinton Maynard. He will also appear weekly on The Continuous Call Team and Wide World of Sports. Geyer expressed excitement about joining 2GB, saying, "I’m pumped to be joining the team... It’s humbling to be part of such an established station." He had hinted at interest from other media outlets mentioning multiple opportunities he had received. 2GB’s content manager, Luke Davis, welcomed Geyer to the station praising his experience and insights, particularly in NRL coverage. Geyer will join returning members of the Continuous Call Team for the 2025 season including Paul Gallen, Darryl ‘The Big Marn’ Brohman, Mark ‘Piggy’ Riddell, Josh Morris, and host Mark Levy.  

Australian Community Media has announced another round of redundancies affecting its print production team, Mediaweek reported. Up to nine roles, about a third of the team, are set to be cut.  This follows the loss of 35 newsroom jobs three months ago. Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) confirmed the layoffs, expressing concerns about the future of regional journalism and the ongoing restructuring at ACM. There are fears that ACM may consider artificial intelligence replacing experienced journalists. The MEAA has called for urgent discussions with ACM about the implications of AI, warning that such moves could harm news quality and community trust. “AI is unregulated in Australia, and replacing journalists with AI tools would disregard public demand for stronger regulations,” said MEAA acting CEO Adam Portelli. These redundancies follow recent cuts including the halting of printing for eight newspapers and the closure of regional titles like the Moree Champion a

Joe Aston will return to The Australian Financial Review as a monthly columnist while launching his new publishing and podcasting venture Rampart on February 1, the publication reported.  Aston, who led the AFR’s Rear Window column for 12 years before stepping down in October 2023, said the move offers a balance of creative independence and connection to the publication, which he calls "the best newspaper in the country." The announcement follows the release of his debut book, The Chairman's Lounge, which examines Qantas' decline and ignited a political controversy involving the prime minister. Aston plans to deliver “the best analysis on Australian business and finance” through Rampart. AFR editor-in-chief James Chessell and Financial Review editor Cosima Marriner praised Aston’s return, highlighting the publication’s ability to maintain strong relationships with key contributors. Aston's new agreement includes a revenue-sharing model and legal backing for his content.

Sandy Plunkett has moved her Realpolitech column from InnovationAus.com to Substack in order to seek greater editorial freedom.  “The publisher [of InnovationAus] and I had different priorities over editorial focus and direction,” Plunkett told Influencing. “As I launch Realpolitech on Substack, I intend to look further at why Australia's C-suites and business classes aren’t able to do the deep dive into technology and the speed and ambition that it can be leveraged at.” Plunkett said she wants to “try and zoom in on the tech industry, how it works, the flows and blocks of it, but also zoom out into the global and geopolitical scene, hence the name Realpolitech.”  According to Plunkett, the idea for Realpolitech “Is to take something really timely and put my spin on it for both Australian readers and global readers, but it's also acknowledging things that just aren't covered at all or the way we address specific problems.”  Columns will be published twice to