With less than three months to go for the FIFA World Cup 2026, India is yet to secure a confirmed broadcaster, an unusual situation for one of the world’s largest media markets. The delay stems from commercial hesitation over valuation, prompting attention towards Prasar Bharati, which has already held discussions with FIFA to evaluate cost structures, a senior government official confirmed. This follows precedent: in 2023, Doordarshan aired the FIFA Women’s World Cup via a sub‑licensing deal with 1Stadia, reaching mass audiences through DD Sports. Prasar Bharati described that move as part of its public service role. Prasar Bharati’s expanding infrastructure including DD Free Dish and WAVES OTT, offers a hybrid broadcast model combining reach and digital scale. Under mandatory sharing rules, key matches such as the semi‑finals and final will still air on Doordarshan, Best Media Info reported. Despite Prasar Bharati’s interest, industry sources suggest

Prasar Bharati has introduced a new structured sourcing framework that allows independent content creators, production houses, and rights holders to contribute programming to Akashvani (All India Radio). The move marks a major shift in how the public broadcaster sources content across its radio network. The initiative has been rolled out through a Notice Inviting Programme Proposals issued by Akashvani’s Content Sourcing Division. It aims to expand programming diversity, strengthen regional and local language content, and enhance collaboration with external partners. The framework also introduces a monetisation‑oriented model, enabling Prasar Bharati to generate new revenue streams through structured partnerships. Implementation will be carried out via regional clusters and Akashvani Kendras nationwide. Three commercial models have been defined, including a revenue‑sharing model where creators bear production costs and share advertising or sponsorship revenue with Prasar

Krishna Kant Jena, a journalist with Nav Bharat and founder of Green Rayagada, passed away at the age of 58 while undergoing treatment. His demise has cast a shadow of grief over the media fraternity in Rayagada. Jena was an active environmentalist and undertook tree plantation drives across the city, encouraging youth to contribute through Green Rayagada. He was also a founding member of the Rayagada Press Club, reported Orissa Diary. Several prominent individuals and organisations, including political leaders, officials, journalists, and members of local associations, paid tributes and gathered to express their condolences and honour his contributions. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Nintendo’s Claire Corbel says storytelling and a focus on the human element of PR are central to her approach. That approach saw her take out the David Hellaby Best Media Relations award at this year’s Australian IT Journalism Awards.  “I love the gaming industry. I love video games, and I think building relationships with journalists who share that passion has been a really special thing,” she told Influencing. “I always approach with kindness, with full intention to support, no matter what brand or company I represent and help journalists in every way that I can”. She described the win as “mind-blowing”. “My initial reaction was shock, but I feel so incredibly grateful. “It was just such an amazing night – to see so many amazing people there and to celebrate the industry in general. Being acknowledged with that award was definitely a career highlight. To be nominated by the people that you work with was just such an incredible honour.” Corbel said the

$53b defence boost — but the numbers are under fire The Albanese government is flagging an extra $53 billion for defence over the next decade, arguing it will lift spending to 3% of GDP by 2033 under a revised NATO-style accounting method. Several papers question whether the uplift is real (or repackaged) and whether off-budget borrowing and private-sector financing masks the true fiscal and capability position at a time of heightened strategic risk. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Australian Financial Review, The Australian, The Australian. Fuel security anxiety deepens as states move to go it alone NSW is weighing an emergency diesel stockpile as the fuel crunch bites the trucking sector, with the Daily Telegraph framing it as a state-led challenge to Canberra’s national fuel-security approach. The Australian adds pressure by highlighting Australia’s low oil production and growing import dependence as conflict-driven shocks threaten prices and suppl

Around 150 journalists gathered at the Guwahati Press Club to protest alleged attacks on the media during the recent Assam Assembly elections. They resolved to escalate the matter to the highest authorities. At the meeting, journalists decided to submit memorandums to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Election Commission of India. Participants expressed concern over remarks attributed to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who reportedly said he would “politically and intellectually” finish two media groups if re‑elected. They also referred to an alleged attack on the North Lakhimpur office of Asomiya Pratidin, which took place hours after polling ended on April 9. Journalists described these incidents as signs of growing threats to press freedom and called for urgent safeguards, especially during elections. They demanded the formation of an independent media commission with retired judges, legal experts, and civil society members to address

Journalist Deepak Soni, editor of the monthly magazine Swarn Mangalam, died after sustaining critical injuries in a road accident on Friday. His family alleged that delays in arranging an ambulance contributed to his death. Soni was on his way to an agricultural fair when the accident occurred. He was first taken to the District Hospital, but his family said no ambulance was available for nearly two to three hours. They eventually arranged a private vehicle to shift him to Bhopal, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Family members claimed ambulances at the hospital had been diverted for “VIP duties” linked to an agricultural event attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, NDTV reported. The incident has once again highlighted the lack of timely emergency support, especially for media professionals working in high‑risk environments. Last month, Influencing reported on similar gaps, noting