In a move reminiscent of Cold War-era preparedness, India is set to conduct nationwide civil defence drills on May 7, 2025, marking the first such exercise since 1971. This directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) comes in the wake of the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives.  Hot off the Press Bharti Jain for The Times of India reported that, this directive encompasses 244 districts across the country, aiming to bolster preparedness against potential hostile attacks. The drills will simulate wartime scenarios, including the activation of air raid sirens, enforced blackouts and evacuation procedures for civilians and students. The Economic Times elaborated that these exercises aim to assess the effectiveness of air raid warning systems, operationalise communication links with the Indian Air Force and evaluate the functionality of control rooms. The drills will also involve training civilians, including students, in basic civil defence

Stuart Kavanagh’s path to journalism wasn't exactly what you’d call a typical one.  Like many young Australians, he started his working life on the factory floor of South Australia's automotive industry, working for Holden, having left school early to pursue what seemed like a secure future.  But when the car manufacturing industry began to decline and factories started closing their doors, Kavanagh saw an opportunity to chase a childhood dream. "I'd always wanted to be a journalist since I was a little fella," says Kavanagh, now a respected and award-winning reporter with The Herald Sun's Mildura News.  Taking what he describes as "the plunge," he returned to university as a mature student, earned his degree, and transformed his career. Today, Kavanagh brings a unique perspective to regional journalism, combining his natural gift for conversation – what his uncle called "the gift of the gab" – with a genuine passion for community storytelling.  His work experience

The Science Journalist Association of Australia has jumped on board as media partner for Pint of Science Festival 2025.  This partnership has been designed to “support and strengthen science communication and science journalism nationally,” the two organisations said in a joint statement.  The organisations will work on, “building public awareness and appreciation of Australian research, fostering high-quality science communication and journalism in Australia, and raising awareness of Pint of Science Australia and SJAA events and volunteer opportunities”. Incoming Pint of Science Australia co-CEOs Dr Anna Oszmiana and Brett van der Leest said they were very happy with the partnership agreement.  “We’re thrilled to welcome the SJAA as a media partner for the 2025 Pint of Science festival. In a time when clear, evidence-based communication is more important than ever, this partnership represents a shared commitment to connecting the public with the people behind the

  Seven West Media has today announced it has entered into a binding agreement with Southern Cross Media Group Limited to acquire the television licences and assets operating in Tasmania, Darwin, Spencer Gulf, Broken Hill, Mt Isa and Remote, Central and Eastern Australia.   These licences currently broadcast the Seven Network television signal in each market under the current Affiliation Agreement with SXL.   The acquisition largely completes SWM’s national broadcast network and opens new markets to Seven where the offering of digital television – both live and VOD – on 7plus complements the Seven broadcast signal.   SWM Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Howard, said: “The acquisition of these television licenses is another positive step in SWM’s strategic transformation program.      “Seven is Australia’s largest commercial free-to-air broadcaster and we are excited by the opportunity to further leverage our leading news, sport and en

  With the Albanese government re-elected, it hasn’t taken long for media bosses to call for action on the long discussed News Media Bargaining Code.  In a timely article by the Australian Financial Review’s media and marketing reporter, Sam Buckingham-Jones, he reports three of Australia’s biggest media companies have called on the newly elected Albanese government to commit to a firm timeline to fix the News Media Bargaining Code, more than after a year Meta announced it would not renew deals paying news publishers an estimated $70 million a year. Buckingham-Jones reveals News Corp Australia executive chairman Michael Miller has joined Nine Entertainment chief executive Matt Stanton and Seven West Media chief executive Jeff Howard in pushing for what they described as tangible action on the law, which forces big tech platforms to negotiate with news outlets to pay for news. “More than a year has passed since our political leaders affirmed their determination that dea

The News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) has released an advisory prohibiting the participation of Pakistani panellists in news debates on Indian channels, in the wake of the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam that left 26 Hindu tourists dead.   The advisory has been circulated to editors across NBDA member organisations. It outlines the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's concerns over the appearance of Pakistani commentators on Indian channels, spreading ‘anti-national propaganda’.   “In view of the recent attack on tourists in Pahalgam, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has drawn our attention to channels inviting anti-India commentators from Pakistan in their programmes who propagate false propaganda against India,” the advisory stated.   “Editors of NBDA are advised to refrain from inviting panellists, speakers and commentators from Pakistan in their programme(s), who are know