Journalists in Jammu and Kashmir have welcomed the demand for a pension scheme for retired media professionals raised in the Assembly. Ashwani Kumar, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Accredited Journalists Association, hailed the intervention made by Tanvir Sadiq, MLA from Zadibal and Chief Spokesman of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, during the Assembly proceedings in Jammu on Wednesday. In a statement, Ashwani Kumar said the MLA had correctly highlighted the hardships faced by retired journalists who spent their lives strengthening democracy through reporting, often under difficult and risky conditions. He said senior journalists dedicate decades to public service and deserve social security after retirement. He pointed out that several states and Union Territories already offer monthly pensions to journalists who have completed at least 20 years of service and attained the age of 58. States such as Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar, Chhattisg

The media occupies a central place in a democratic and secular society, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information and Housing Kolusu Parthasarathy said on Wednesday, asserting that journalism plays a decisive role in shaping public discourse. Speaking after releasing the APUWJ Vijayawada Unit Diary at the State Secretariat, the Minister said the government views the press as an essential link between citizens and the administration. He said raising public concerns through responsible reporting helps improve transparency and strengthens democratic institutions. Reiterating the government’s support for journalists, Parthasarathy said steps were being taken to ensure their safety, welfare and professional dignity. He also acknowledged the support of Anvita Group, whose chairman Boppana Achyuta Rao and director Boppana Nagabhushanam sponsored the diary’s publication. Leaders of the APUWJ Vijayawada unit and representatives of electronic media associations attended the programme.

Senior journalist and noted author K Govindan Kutty passed away following a short period of illness, family members confirmed on Thursday, Feb 19. He was 81 years old. Kutty is survived by his wife, son and daughter. Popularly referred to as KGK among peers, Kutty was widely respected for his incisive understanding of Kerala politics and national affairs. His career spanned decades in both Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi, where he served in various reporting and editorial roles. He made national headlines in 1977 by being the first to report the aircraft crash involving then Prime Minister Morarji Desai at Jorhat in Assam, an incident from which Desai escaped unhurt. During the 1980s, Kutty was among the earliest journalists to uncover internal divisions within the CPI(M) in Kerala. His reporting later proved significant as those ideological cracks culminated in the expulsion of senior leader M V Raghavan in 1986 and a major split in the party. At the height of his tenure with th

A female journalist from Aaj Tak was allegedly threatened and obstructed while reporting in West Bengal, raising fresh concerns about press freedom and journalist safety. The incident occurred during coverage of a government outreach programme linked to a youth stipend scheme under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s administration. While filming at a registration camp, eyewitnesses said several individuals confronted the reporter, questioned her recording, and allegedly demanded she hand over her camera. Members of the crowd also filmed her during the confrontation, escalating tensions. According to reports, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader objected to her coverage, telling her: “Why are you showing negative news? Show positive!” before allegedly issuing a threat. Though she was not physically assaulted, the verbal intimidation forced her to halt reporting temporarily. The journalist’s report had highlighted how educated unemployed youth were standing in lon

Image edited by Dinesh Raj M   There’s something oddly convenient about a law that doesn’t define what a “secret” is. India’s Official Secrets Act, 1923, was drafted by a colonial government that feared pamphlets more than policy failures. A century later, it continues to sit on our statute books, quietly powerful, vaguely worded and occasionally unsheathed when information leaks become politically uncomfortable. The law criminalises the unauthorised disclosure of government information deemed “secret.” That includes documents, sketches, plans, models and even oral communication. The penalty can stretch up to 14 years’ imprisonment in cases of espionage. Courts can conduct closed-door hearings. Media organisations can face liability. The definition of “secret”? That’s left to the discretion of the state. And that’s where the discomfort begins. Who does the OSA target? On paper, the Act primarily appl

A couple of weeks ago, Leigh Stark introduced a large range of updates to Pickr as part of his Betterment program. And this week he’s done more, introducing a “world-first” Personal Benchmark system for reviewing phones, which takes into account a mobile’s CPU Single Core, CPU Multiple Core and GPU.  “Personal benchmarks is basically a benchmarking platform with the ability to inject your own phone inside of it,” Stark told Influencing.  “We’ve seen regular benchmarks for years. They shuffled online and were a semi-interactive email service that oversaw the data points.  “A personalised benchmark takes that concept and says we have a big list of products used over the years, and asks if it's possible to see how my phone or other products sit in that list.” It’s a two-part system, Stark explains, built for WordPress.  “On the front end, you assemble your benchmarks the way you would for a review…What makes it personal is a little button on the right

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be taking part in News Corp Australia's 2026 Future series events in South Australia and Victoria this month, joining premiers and opposition leaders from both states as they prepare for upcoming elections. Editorial coverage will feature across News’ leading mastheads including The Advertiser, Herald Sun, Geelong Advertiser, The Daily Telegraph, Townsville Bulletin, Cairns Post, NT News, Gold Coast Bulletin and The Courier-Mail. Future SA takes place today, Friday 20 February, in Adelaide. Hosted by The Advertiser, the event focuses on growth and innovation to build a brighter future for South Australia, says News Corp. The PM will provide an address via video while South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn will deliver their vision for the state less than one month out from the SA election.  Alb