The Kerala High Court’s recent decision to quash a criminal defamation complaint against a Malayalam media publication and its editorial staff has been followed by similar rulings from the Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand High Courts, reinforcing that journalists cannot be held criminally liable merely for publishing factual reports or statements attributed to officials. The Himachal Pradesh High Court has now quashed a defamation complaint against the editor of Divya Himachal, holding that publication of a report based on true and undisputed facts, particularly when the complainant’s clarification was sought and published, could not amount to defamation. Justice Sandeep Sharma observed, “Since news item, which is being claimed to be defamatory, was based upon true facts, coupled with the fact that clarification was sought from the complainant and thereafter such clarification was also published in the same newspaper, act of publishing news item by the petitioner cannot be said

Friday, 11 September 2026 #1  ·  Times Nation  ·  In-depth feature India adds 30 new N-warheads, total at 190: Study By Surendra Singh   ·   The Times of India, New Delhi  ·  Page 23 A Federation of American Scientists report estimates India has added at least 30 nuclear warheads for new missiles under production, bringing its total assembled warheads to approximately 190, up from 160 for operational launchers. The study details nine operational nuclear-capable delivery systems across air, land and sea, with at least two more nearing completion. India's new 500-MWt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam reached first criticality in April 2026, potentially expanding future plutonium production capacity. Significant national security story that synthesises a detailed technical report into accessible public interest journalism, with the reporter adding context around India's secrecy norms and the metho

  As journalists arrive in New Delhi to cover the 18th BRICS Summit, the first introduction to India may not come through a briefing room or a diplomatic speech, but through a media kit carrying products from different parts of the country. The two-day summit will be held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13, bringing together leaders of the expanded BRICS grouping. As around 1,200-1,300 journalists from India and abroad converge on the capital, the Ministry of External Affairs has curated a media kit that offers visiting journalists a glimpse of India’s regional food and craft traditions. The kit brings together Bihar’s sattu and makhana, coffee from Koraput in Odisha and handicrafts from Gujarat, turning a routine press kit into a small showcase of India’s cultural diversity. The initiative is part of the MEA’s effort to use the summit’s international media presence to showcase what Vasudev Ravi, OSD, Public Relations, described as the “India Story”. “Thi

AI Generated Image Social media metrics -- views, likes, shares, watch time -- are increasingly shaping what journalists report, with some reporters now expected to produce several stories a day to hit engagement targets, according to a recent News Decoder report. The report, based on interviews with women journalists in India and accounts from other countries, found that algorithms are influencing story selection, presentation and even how journalists conduct interviews, with some reporters saying emotionally charged stories are prioritised because they draw more viewers. It also pointed to a steep cost: a 2020 UNESCO-ICFJ study found that 73% of women journalists worldwide had experienced online violence, and a more recent UN Women survey found the figure had risen to three in four, with 42% saying the abuse escalated into offline harassment or physical threats. Editors across Indian newsrooms say the pressure is real but so is the discipline required to resist it. Tejinder Sing

Power bills vs executive pay: Ausgrid “champagne toast” backlash Ausgrid is under fire after claims executives handed themselves hefty pay rises off the back of strong profits while customers face close to 10% increases in network charges. The story taps into cost-of-living anger and renews scrutiny of how essential utilities are regulated and rewarded. Covered by: Daily Telegraph. Recession alarm: Treasury models downturn as global borrowing costs surge Federal Treasury is reportedly stress-testing the risk of recession as global bond yields, inflation and oil prices rise, with market volatility linked to US fiscal settings and a massive wave of data-centre investment. The significance is twofold: higher global rates can quickly lift Australian mortgage and business borrowing costs, and it sharpens the political stakes for the government’s next budget and economic narrative. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald. Extremism program in doubt: leaked figures say participants got �

Munsif English Daily relaunched in Hyderabad, with Congress Party Karwan Assembly constituency in-charge Usman Bin Mohammed Al Hajri congratulating Mohammed Abdul Jaleel, Editor-in-Chief of the Munsif Group of Publications, on the occasion. Al Hajri felicitated Abdul Jaleel with a shawl and bouquet and extended his wishes for the newspaper’s continued growth and success. Several Congress leaders and workers were also present. The meeting also recalled the contribution of the late Dr. Khan Latif Mohammed Khan to Hyderabad’s journalistic history and his association with Munsif Urdu. Those present highlighted his commitment to factual reporting, public awareness and responsible journalism. The English edition was described as a continuation of Munsif’s journalistic legacy, aimed at taking its values and public-oriented approach to a wider readership.    

The Allahabad High Court has stayed an FIR against journalist Amit Yadav for reporting alleged poor infrastructure at a government school in Lucknow, calling the action prima facie retaliatory and akin to “killing the messenger”. A bench of Justices Abdul Moin and Pramod Kumar Srivastava said authorities should have examined the shortcomings reported by Yadav instead of treating the matter as an “ego issue”. Yadav had reported on August 20 that a government school had shabby toilets, no drinking water and other deficiencies. An FIR was later registered against him, alleging unauthorised entry, disruption of classes and compelling teachers to speak about the school. The court also directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Basic Education, Uttar Pradesh, to submit a report on the school’s present condition, The Indian Express reported.