Deepfakes and democracy: Navigating AI threats this election season

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Upfront: Net-zero rollback plan, RBA warns job losses, Bowser shock hits.

By Staff Writers in Media News on
Coalition vows to unwind Labor’s energy agenda The Coalition has unveiled an eight-point plan to roll back key pillars of Labor’s renewable-energy program, including scrapping net-zero targets and mechanisms, ending offshore wind zones, and reopening the debate on nuclear power. It sets up a high-stakes political fight over cost-of-living, investment certainty and Australia’s emissions trajectory ahead of the next election cycle. Covered by: The Australian. RBA signals more pain: unemployment may need to rise Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock has warned joblessness may need to lift to around 5% to bring inflation back under control, with markets and banks bracing for another rate hike. The comments sharpen the political and social stakes of monetary policy, pitting inflation-fighting credibility against household stress and rising mortgage pressure. Covered by: Australian Financial Review, The West Australian, Daily Telegraph. Global oil shock hits Australians at the bow

Babu Balmukund Gupta memorial celebrations held at Indira Gandhi University

By Staff writer in Media News on
Indira Gandhi University in Rewari organised competitions as part of the Babu Balmukund Gupta Memorial and Hindi Day celebrations. The event was jointly organised by the Babu Balmukund Gupta Chair, the Hindi Department and the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. Vice Chancellor Prof. Aseem Miglani highlighted Gupta’s contributions to Hindi literature and journalism. Students participated in poetry writing, poster-making, speech and essay-writing competitions.   

SJAI to host three-day workshop on climate resilience reporting

By Staff writer in Media News on
The Science Journalists Association of India (SJAI), in association with the Solutions Journalism Network, will host a three-day residential workshop on reporting nature-based solutions and climate resilience. The workshop will be held from October 26 to 28, 2026, at the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. Journalists based in India’s Himalayan states with 3 to 15 years of experience in text, video, audio or multimedia journalism can apply. The workshop aims to help journalists strengthen their reporting on nature-based solutions and climate resilience. Applications close on October 2, 2026, at 11:59 pm IST. To apply: https://www.sjai.in/himalayasolutionshuddle    

Media Watch picks up on ACMA's 'bias' finding on Four Corners

By Staff Writers in Media News on
The ABC's Media Watch went in-house on Monday evening, examining last Thursday's ACMA finding that a Four Corners investigation into the redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial "unduly favoured one perspective through its presentation of aspects of the Memorial's redevelopment project." The segment – "Four Corners impartial?" – centres on a 2025 investigation into the redevelopment, fronted by Mark Willacy on the program. Host Linton Besser said ACMA had not found errors of fact in the investigation, but ruled it had "been partial to critics of the redevelopment". Besser cited the ACMA report, which pointed to "the cumulative effect of the negative commentary from interviewees, evocative language, and the host's interview style." Besser noted the complaint had already been examined by the ABC ombudsman, who investigated and dismissed any suggestion of bias. The ACMA finding later prompted a further response f

The rise of the non-human publicist – is Australia next?

By Nigel Bowen in Media News on
At this juncture, few journalists are surprised by publicists using AI to generate pitches. But what happens when there’s no human in the loop at all? First, they came for the publicists… A few months ago, a publicist called June Barton emailed Futurism reporter Maggie Harrison Dupré about a wellness app. When she didn't reply, Barton followed up. So far, so unremarkable, except for the fact that June Barton was 100 per cent digital. Barton’s headshot, opened in a new tab, still carried the watermark of this-person-does-not-exist.com, a site that generates synthetic faces on demand. The domain in Barton's email address redirected to a real UK agency, Movchan, which bills itself on LinkedIn as a viral PR specialist. Searching her inbox, Dupré found dozens of emails from at least 15 fabricated personas working out of a rotating cast of invented firms. Several, ostensibly employed by different agencies, were pitching the same client.

Journalist Ravi Nair moves HC against non-bailable warrant in defamation case

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The Gujarat High Court has issued notices to the state government and Adani Enterprises on a petition filed by journalist Ravi Nair, challenging a non‑bailable warrant (NBW) issued against him by a Gandhinagar sessions court. An Indian Express report noted Nair was taken into judicial custody on September 17 after the sessions court rejected his plea to cancel the warrant. He had earlier been convicted of criminal defamation by a Mansa magistrate court in February and sentenced to one year’s simple imprisonment with a 5,000 fine over tweets and articles concerning Adani Enterprises. Although granted bail during appeal proceedings, the sessions court required his personal appearance. His lawyers, Abhik Chimni and Ronith Joy, argued before the High Court that the NBW was issued without first serving a summons or bailable warrant, contrary to Supreme Court precedent. Justice M.K. Thakker issued notice to the respondents, making it returnable on September 21.   

BHU's journalism dept holds discussion on AI’s impact on academic research

By Staff writer in Media News on
The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) held a dialogue on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on academic research, with researchers discussing the need for ethical practices, original thinking and field-based research. Prof. Harish said AI could support research but should be used responsibly, while researchers should prioritise critical observation, independent analysis and original thinking. He also stressed the importance of reducing screen dependence and engaging directly with society. Prof. Anurag Dave called for an interdisciplinary approach to media and communication research, highlighting the need to examine how technological developments intersect with social dynamics. The session was moderated by Dr Bala Lakhendra and concluded with a vote of thanks by department head Prof. Gyan Prakash Mishra   Image credit: ANI  

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Media Watch picks up on ACMA's 'bias' finding on Four Corners
The ABC's Media Watch went in-house on Monday evening for one of its stories, examining last Thursday's ACMA finding that a Four Corners investigation into the redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial "unduly favoured one perspective through its presentation of aspects of the Memorial's redevelopment project." ... Show more

Upfront: Net-zero rollback plan, RBA warns job losses, Bowser shock hits.
In Front Page News Today: Coalition targets Labor energy agenda; RBA flags higher unemployment ahead; Saudi oil shock lifts fuel prices. ... Show more

Media Diary reveals ABC/Robinson contact as far back as February
The ABC’s contact with new National News Director Simon Robinson goes all the way back to February, The Australian’s Media Diary has revealed.  ... Show more

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