The Indian government has issued an advisory directing OTT platforms, media streaming services, and digital intermediaries to stop hosting or distributing any content originating from Pakistan. This directive follows heightened national security concerns after the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 tourists. Investigations have revealed links to Pakistan-based state and non-state actors. Citing the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting emphasized that content must not undermine India’s sovereignty, security, or public order. The advisory specifically refers to the Code of Ethics for digital media and Rule 3(1)(b), which obligates platforms to prevent the spread of harmful or disruptive content. Effective immediately, platforms must remove all Pakistan-origin content—including web series, films, songs, and podcasts, regardless of whether it's free or sub

X (formerly Twitter) has blocked access to over 8,000 accounts in India following takedown orders from the Indian government, X’s global affairs team said in a post. The accounts reportedly include international media outlets and public figures. While disagreeing with the directive, X complied to avoid severe penalties, including potential fines and imprisonment of its India-based staff. The platform criticized the move as censorship, arguing that many orders lacked justification and that some flagged content wasn’t even specified. X acknowledged that current Indian laws limit its ability to legally challenge the orders but said it is exploring legal options. To assist affected users, it shared legal aid resources, including iProbono India and the National Legal Services Authority. X emphasised that although the decision was difficult, keeping the platform operational in India is essential to ensure public access to information.  

With hostilities escalating rapidly between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, Indian armed forces has hit several air defence systems and other targets in Pakistan after thwarting missiles and drones launched from across the border against Indian military bases and civilian areas in the early hours of Friday. The army also claimed it destroyed the air defence system in Lahore and targeted Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur and an area near Karachi, among other sites. Hot off the Press The IAF deployed Israeliorigin Harop and Harpy kamikaze drones, which act as cruise missiles by exploding into enemy targets and radars, soon after Pakistan launched a salvo of missiles and suicide drones at 15 Indian military targets in northern and western India around 1am. The attacks by Pakistan resumed as it got dark, with multiple locations being targeted, including Jaisalmer air base, Amritsar and military stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur. “The threats were neutralised...through kinetic and no

  The Guardian has launched a new global supporter campaign, ‘Facts are sacred’, that runs throughout May, coinciding with the Guardian’s 204th birthday on 5 May and World Press Freedom Day earlier this month (3 May). In 1921 former Guardian editor C.P. Scott wrote “comment is free, facts are sacred”, stating the importance of separating opinion from fact in journalism. In today’s age of misinformation and the rise of the far right, this message is more pertinent than ever, added the publisher. The Guardian says it is asking readers to support its journalism to challenge the authoritarian and autocratic leaders who want to crush the independent press through exclusion and influence. The ‘Facts are sacred’ campaign includes reader emails from editor-in-chief Katharine Viner and editor of Guardian US Betsy Reed, a video explainer from the editor of the Guardian’s Rights and Freedom series, Annie Kelly, and paid digital marketing. The Guardian says the campaign a

Ashley Earnshaw. Nine today announced Ashley Earnshaw, who has served as Director of Sales - Total Audio since 2021, is stepping down. During his time as the key commercial leader within Nine’s audio division, Earnshaw has helped guide Nine’s audio team through a period of positive evolution and growth, says the broadcaster. “My time at Nine has been a truly valuable experience, and I’m incredibly proud of what the Total Audio team has accomplished as the audio landscape has continued its rapid digital transformation,” said Earnshaw. “After careful consideration, I’ve decided the time is right to pursue new professional opportunities. While it’s a tough decision to leave a business that is primed for growth, I’m also excited by the prospect of applying my skills and experience in new areas to drive value. “I’m fully committed to ensuring a smooth and effective handover and will be working closely with the team in the coming months as they transition to the n

News Corp has reported a slight increase in third-quarter revenue worldwide — driven by growth in Dow Jones, its digital real estate business and its book publishing segment — despite global economic uncertainty. But globally - including Australia - News Corp's  news media revenues in the quarter decreased $42 million, or 8%, compared to the year, before primarily driven by lower advertising revenues, lower revenues from the transfer of third-party printing revenue contracts to News UK’s joint venture with DMG Media and lower circulation and subscription revenues,  In Australia, REA Group posted revenues for the quarter of $271 million, a 6% increase compared to the prior year, driven by continued strong Australian residential performance, said News Corp. Overall News Corp revenue for the quarter grew 1% to US$2.01 billion ($3.1 billion) from US$1.99 billion the previous year. Net income from continuing operations for the quarter was up 67% to US$107 million, the co

    The Guardian’s media editor, Michael Savage, has given an overview of the new Guardian redesign, relaunching its mobile app to offer more personalised, visual content and boost the prominence of podcasts as part of a “mobile first” strategy. Savage said the introduction of a dedicated tab for podcasts will help people discover and listen to new episodes via an in-app player, while users can also listen to all articles with a text-to-speech feature. The overhaul is an acknowledgment of how central the mobile phone has become for many news organisations. Three-quarters of the Guardian’s digital audience who visit daily do so through a mobile device. The app has more than 1 million daily active users. Savage also points to other media groups who, as he puts it, are “attempting to shore up direct relationships with readers amid the increasing use of AI chatbots that threaten to give information to users without providing them the original journalism from where it