David Southwell is an experienced journalist who has worked and written for AAP, news.com.au, the Daily Mail and Balmain’s Village Voice local newspaper, but he didn’t start his working life as a journalist - he spent his early work years as a public servant and a teacher.  “I changed careers around 2000,” he told Influencing.  He worked as a media PR for the Department of Defence and that role got him interested in stepping to the other side and trying his hand at journalism.  In many ways that was an unusual step, usually it’s in reverse with journos going over to the better-paying world of communications and public relations.  “Well, the position [at Defence] finished up,” Southwell said. “I saw an opportunity and decided to try and move into journalism.' He did a six-month media course at UTS to learn the basics and says he probably got most out of the interaction with a seasoned journalist who came into the course to teach sub-editing skills.  'M

Freelance science journalist Felicity Nelson’s favourite story is a piece she wrote on the periodic table - not least because it turned into a fascinating investigation.  “In the middle of last year, I pitched a story to Chemistry and Engineering News about the periodic table of elements and how it’s actually incomplete. There are elements that have not been discovered and would fall on the next and eighth line of the periodic table.” “And so the feature was focused on interviewing the research groups based all over the world looking for element 119.” By the end of her research into the topic, Nelson found the results of the investigation “fascinating.”  “It was very clear that the Japanese were one step ahead on element 119, and the Americans were really focused on element 120. But what was very interesting was the impact of geopolitics as the US and Russia used to work together on the research but now don’t for various political reasons.  “It was a fas

    In a sign the sector is struggling, Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has confirmed the federal government is suspending the Commercial Broadcasting Tax (CBT) for one year for commercial radio and television. The move should save commercial broadcasters around $55 million in the next 12 months. The minister said, “Free-to-air broadcasting services keep Australians informed and entertained with high quality programs that feature local voices and stories. “The sector continues to face a challenging operating environment, which is why the Government is providing relief by suspending the Commercial Broadcasting Tax for one year.” The one-year suspension runs from 9 June 2025 to  8 June 2026. During that period there will be  a 100% rebate of the CBT liabilities of all commercial television and radio broadcasters, reducing their liabilities to zero.  Regional commercial radio broadcasters currently eligible for a partial rebate of their CBT liabilitie

Following a campaign by Zee 24 TAAS against Wikipedia for hosting derogatory content on  Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, which sparked an outcry, authorities took swift action within  hours.    The blockbuster success of Chhawa, has renewed admiration for the legacy of Chhatrapati  Sambhaji Maharaj's legacy and exposed inaccurate Wikipedia content.      Zee 24 TAAS campaign sparked widespread outrage across Maharashtra, uniting political  leaders who lodged formal complaints and amplified calls for action. Responding to the issue,  Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry and issued a formal notice to Wikipedia for  immediate correction.  

ABP Network is set to host the fourth edition of its flagship event, the ABP Network’s Ideas of  India 2025. The summit will be held on February 21 and 22 in Mumbai.      With the theme “Humanity’s Next Frontier”, the event will bring together intellectuals,  policymakers, changemakers, and intelligentsia to discuss India’s evolving role.     The summit will explore how India can harness its demographic and socio-economic  advantages to become a ‘force for good’ in various fields, including science, artificial  intelligence, the global economy, culture, and beyond. It will foster insightful discussions from a  roster of speakers and leaders from key sectors.     The Ideas of 2025 brings together an exciting lineup of intellectuals, including Gaur Gopal Das,  motivational speaker and lifestyle coach; Pico Iyer, author and journalist; Ustad Taufiq Qureshi  and Bickram Ghosh, percussionists and Tabla players; Dr. (Prof.) Venki Ramakrishnan, No

Zee 24 Ghanta will host the 16th edition of Ananya Samman on February 20, 2025, in Kolkata, recognising individuals who have made a significant impact on society through their dedication and service, according to an official release accessed by Influencing India. The event will bring together leaders, policymakers and public figures to honour those whose contributions often go unrecognised. The awards are divided into three categories: Ananya Sadharan Award, celebrates unsung heroes from West Bengal. Ananya Samman Award recognises eminent personalities in various fields and the Jibon Kriti (Lifetime Achievement Award) is for individuals whose lifelong contributions have set a benchmark for service and excellence. Commenting on the significance of the event, Karan Abhishek Singh, CEO of Zee Media Corporation Limited, said in the release, “Recognition has the power to inspire greater change and Ananya Samman is a shining example of that. By honouring selfless individuals who work