Journalist, media activist and writer R B Jagadish has been selected for the Kannada Payaswini Achievers Award 2026 by Kannada Bhavan, Mangaluru. The selection was announced on January 3. Jagadish, who hails from Kasargod, has earlier served as president of the Karkala Taluk Working Journalists’ Association and as vice-president of the Udupi District Working Journalists’ Association. According to Daijiworld, he has worked with several media organisations, including the Canara Times Group, Mangaluru Mitra, Jana Ee Dina, Pattanga, Udupi News, Vijayakirna, Vijayavani, Jayakirana and Daijiworld. He currently serves as editor of R B News Kannada. The award will be presented on January 18 during the Kannada Bhavan Rajata Sambhrama–Naadu Nudi Habba programme at Kannada Bhavan, Nullippady, Kasargod, Kannada Bhavan founder-president Dr Vaman Rao Bekal and secretary Vasanth Keremane said.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the ruling CPI, on Friday, Jan 2, strongly criticised Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDPY) general secretary Vellappally Natesan for allegedly referring to a television reporter as an “extremist.” The DYFI stated that such a remark runs contrary to the principles of Sree Narayana Dharma. The SNDP Yogam, which represents the backward Ezhava community in Kerala, has not issued a formal clarification at the time of reporting. In a Facebook post, the DYFI alleged that statements of this nature weaken collective efforts to build ideological resistance against divisive forces. It further noted that, at a time when organisations such as the Sangh Parivar and Jamaat‑e‑Islami are allegedly attempting to divide society along religious and caste lines, remarks of this kind could harm social unity. According to Hindustan Times, the federation added that no individual or organisation should make intervent

Harjit Singh Grewal (44), a video journalist, died in a road mishap when a speeding truck allegedly hit his motorbike on the Amritsar-Attari bypass road on Saturday, Jan 3. The Tribune reported that the police have detained two individuals in connection with the case. According to police statements cited in the report, Grewal allegedly lost balance after a truck struck his motorcycle, causing him to fall onto the road. The truck then allegedly ran over him, resulting in his death on the spot.

Prasar Bharati has released the list of successful channels under its 93rd allotment of MPEG-4 slots on DD Free Dish for regional language channels on a pilot basis till March 31, 2026.  According to Best Media Info, the selected channels include TV9 Kannada and Public TV (Kannada), Mazhavil Manorama (Malayalam), several Bengali channels such as ABP Ananda and TV9 Bangla, Kanak News (Odia), ABP Majha and 9X Jhakaas (Marathi), ABP Asmita and Gujarat First (Gujarati), and News State Punjab-Haryana-Himachal (Punjabi).  The move aims to improve regional representation and visibility on DD Free Dish.

Image edited by Dinesh Raj M   When Kailash Vijayvargiya snapped at NDTV reporter Anurag Dwary, it was not just a politician losing patience with a question. It was power signalling something more corrosive: that questioning itself is an inconvenience, not a democratic obligation. This was not an isolated moment. It became visible only because cameras were rolling and the clip travelled. Journalists across organisations publicly backed the reporter. Viewers pushed back. The backlash forced a response, followed by an apology. Not because the question was wrong, but because public pressure made contempt costly. (Source: NDTV broadcast clip) That sequence reveals something unsettling about Indian journalism today. Accountability increasingly comes not from institutional safeguards, but from virality. Across India, journalists are routinely assaulted, detained, threatened, or booked for doing basic reporting. Many of these incidents never trend. District reporters investigatin

NRI journalist Harjinder Singh Basiala will be honoured with the King’s Service Medal (KSM) in New Zealand’s 2026 New Year Honours List. Basiala, a senior overseas team member of the Babushahi News Network, has long contributed to Punjabi media through his work with Tirchhi Nazar Media and as editor of Punjabi Herald, New Zealand’s first online Punjabi news platform. He also serves as a Justice of the Peace and marriage celebrant. The King’s Service Medal recognises exceptional community and public service. Basiala dedicated the honour to the Punjabi media fraternity and expressed gratitude to those who supported his nomination. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sent him a congratulatory letter. The award, part of New Zealand’s Royal Honours system, highlights voluntary and public service contributions that strengthen communities and society.