The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has proposed merging the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to improve coordination on media and communication regulation. According to media reports, the committee also recommended stricter oversight of films and audiovisual content that allegedly promote alcohol, drugs, and violence, calling for a more robust policy framework to enforce compliance. However, industry groups are expected to oppose the move. The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF) has previously told TRAI that broadcasting differs significantly from telecom services in terms of its constitutional structure.

Knock, knock. It’s the bulldozer! When JCBs start replacing court orders and comedy sets trigger criminal probes, something deeper is at play. In India’s recent wave of demolitions, from Prayagraj to Nagpur, structures are being razed with a speed that seems to outrun the rulebook. Add to that the public and private vandalism over a stand-up comic’s joke or a popular blogger's residence and you’re left wondering: are we witnessing isolated crackdowns or a pattern where state muscle increasingly bypasses due process? In a series of stern admonitions, India's judiciary has now taken governmental bodies to task over recent demolition drives that have raised questions about due process and the rule of law. Hot off the Press The Supreme Court recently castigated the Uttar Pradesh government for its rapid demolition of homes in Prayagraj, remarking that the actions "shocked our conscience." Justice Abhay S. Oka and N. Kotishwar Singh highlighted the alarming speed at which

The ABC has maintained its position above News.com.au as Australia's most trafficked website, according to the Ipsos iris rankings for February 2025. The ABC maintained its top ranking despite a slightly lower number than in January and despite a strong 3.9 per cent gain from News.com.au, which saw it regain all of the ground it lost last rankings. Nine.com.au had good gains, up to 2.7 percent, and the Sydney Morning Herald bounced back this month with a 2.5 percent gain. The Daily Mail, which climbed into the top four last month, held that spot with a minor 0.3 percent gain. There is now clear air between it and 7News.com.au which recorded further audience losesses down 3 per cent. The Guardian (down 5.4 percent), Yahoo Australia News (down 6.7 percent), and SBS News (down 8.3 percent) all lost audience in February. The Age regained its spot in the top ten despite also losing 2.5 percent of its audience, while the BBC's uncommon stay in the Top 10 rankings lasted just a mo

Sarah Maree Cameron has joined Nine Radio’s House of Wellness as co-host alongside Gerald Quigley, bringing her voice to audiences across 3AW, 2GB, 4BC, 6PR, and FIVEAA every Sunday. Announcing the move on LinkedIn, Cameron said, "New year, new job… I can still say that in March, right?" She added that anchoring a show she already loves, discussing topics close to her heart, felt "incredible." Her appointment follows a recent stint filling in on 3AW’s Weekend Break, where she hosted a six-hour talkback show in place of Peter ‘Grubby’ Stubbs.  

Amy Hegedus has been appointed the new content director at Ballarat’s 3BA and Power FM, becoming the first woman to hold the role. She follows David Dalkin's retirement and will also take over the Afternoons slot on 3BA, according to Radio Info. Hegedus brings a diverse background in radio and media, having worked with GOLD104.3, ARN, SCA, Channel 7’s Good Friday Appeal, and several stations in London. She also produced the You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet podcast. Excited to take on the new role, Hegedus said, “I’m passionate about storytelling, being connected locally and creating meaningful content that resonates with our community.” She officially joins the team on April 9.  

Former cricketer Irfan Pathan has been left out of this season’s IPL commentary panel following allegations of personal bias against certain players, according to The Times of India. Broadcasters reportedly raised concerns over his commentary and social media posts, which were seen as overly critical and targeted. Pathan, a regular presence in IPL broadcasts since his retirement, is believed to have had prior disagreements with some players, leading to what insiders describe as a “pessimistic atmosphere” that also affected junior players. In response, Pathan announced the launch of his YouTube channel ‘Seedhi Baat with Irfan Pathan’, which went live on March 22. “I will provide an in-depth analysis of the game,” he said, signaling a shift in how he plans to connect with fans this season.

Parliamentary panel recommends unified media council to regulate print, TV and digital. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has recommended that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) set up a unified Media Council to regulate print, broadcast, and digital media under a single framework. According to the Hindustan Times, the proposal aims to streamline media oversight and strengthen the enforcement of laws amid growing convergence in the media ecosystem. A source said the MIB has already explored the idea, which would expand the scope of the Press Council of India (PCI) into a broader Media Council, potentially through new legislation or amendments to existing laws. Chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, the committee also urged the integration of the MIB, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the Department of Telecommunications to address overlapping regulatory challenges. The proposed Media Council woul