A Norwegian journalist’s question asking why Prime Minister Narendra Modi rarely takes unscripted press questions has reignited debate in India over press freedom, political messaging, and foreign media scrutiny. While some Indian journalists defended the question as a legitimate act of accountability-driven journalism, others argued it reflected selective criticism and agenda-driven international coverage of India. The exchange has once again exposed the growing divide over journalism’s role in questioning power and shaping national perception, writes Meena R Prashant.

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India’s structural pressures were visible across energy, education and labour today. Delhi’s heatwave pushed power demand past 7,700MW unusually early in the season, while investigators found a 100% match between leaked NEET Chemistry questions and the actual exam. Elsewhere, over 400 bonded labourers were rescued from Telangana brick kilns, policymakers weighed trimming non-essential imports amid rupee pressure, and Chandrayaan-3 revealed new insights into the Moon’s surface layers.

Senior journalist Anil Pandey has been elevated as Managing Editor at Jagran New Media, expanding his role across the group’s growing network of digital and editorial platforms.

ARN has poached Karl Stefanovic and Eddie McGuire from Nine to co-host The Long Weekend but the press release's careful framing couldn't survive the media analysis.

HT Media has decided to shut down all its FM radio operations across major Indian markets, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai, and will discontinue services by June 15, 2026.

Veteran journalist Haidar Hussain has been conferred with the “Parag Kumar Das Journalism Award” at a commemorative event organised by the Parag Kumar Das Satirtha Mancha at the Gauhati Press Club.

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India faced growing stress across fuel, education and the economy today. The CBI widened the NEET paper leak probe with a key arrest in Latur, diesel shortages disrupted trucking across several States despite official assurances, and soaring crude prices battered the rupee and markets. Meanwhile, the US dropped criminal charges against Gautam Adani after an Iran sanctions settlement, while delivery riders reported falling payouts amid rising fuel costs.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant is facing heat after remarks comparing unemployed youth who turn into social media activists to "cockroaches" and "parasites" went viral. Journalists, media bodies and RJs hit back hard, defending digital platforms as a legitimate profession. The CJI later clarified his words were aimed at fake-degree holders, not youth in general, writes Meena R Prashant. Meanwhile, the internet did what it does best: someone already launched the Cockroach Janta Party online.

For decades, journalism ran on human instinct. Reporters spent time in streets, courtrooms, villages, police stations and tea shops, listening to people, observing behaviour, sensing tension and understanding what so often went unspoken.

Times Network has launched a special digital campaign titled ‘CLEAN करो NEET’ across its Hindi and regional language platforms from May 15, 2026, following concerns over the alleged NEET UG paper leak and the examination process.

According to TNM, the case was registered after an alleged incident involving a police officer while Shankar was being transported from Ongole to Puzhal prison following his arrest in a cheating and extortion case. Police alleged that Shankar and others attacked a Sub-Inspector and pelted stones at him.

The Madras High Court on Wednesday granted conditional bail to YouTuber Savukku Shankar in an attempt to murder case, stating that personal liberty cannot be denied solely because the allegations are serious.

The Press Club of India (PCI) has strongly condemned the Uttar Pradesh police’s decision to invoke the National Security Act (NSA) against senior journalist Satyam Verma, editor of Mazdoor Bigul Dasta. Authorities allege Verma provoked recent workers’ protests in Noida.