The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday granted interim relief to a law student–RTI activist and three journalists, staying further investigation in an FIR lodged against them over a social media post questioning the use of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s official helicopter while he was abroad.  According to the source, Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj issued notice to the Punjab government, with the matter listed for February 23, and stayed all proceedings in the case.  The petitioners — Manik Goyal and journalists Baljinder Singh alias Mintu Gurusaria, Maninderjeet Singh and Mandeep Singh Makkar — had sought quashing of FIR No. 67 of 2025 registered by the Cyber Crime Police Station, Ludhiana, under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.  The FIR stems from a December 9, 2025, post by Goyal citing publicly available data from FlightRadar24, which showed the Chief Minister’s helicopter maki

Three journalists working with a vernacular news channel were arrested late Tuesday night for allegedly broadcasting defamatory content against a woman IAS officer, sparking a political row and fresh debate over press freedom in Telangana. Former minister and senior BRS leader T Harish Rao strongly condemned the arrests, accusing the Congress government of acting in a vindictive and undemocratic manner. He demanded the immediate release of the journalists and said the action reflected the government’s failure to tolerate criticism. In a statement, Rao said the government was harassing the media instead of addressing its governance shortcomings. He termed the arrests a direct assault on democratic values and the dignity of the media in the state. “Is this the people’s rule you promised? Is this your idea of restoring democracy?” he asked. Rao also criticised the use of special investigation teams and late-night raids, questioning why journalists were being treated like crim

Image edited by Dinesh Raj M The Madras High Court’s decision to quash a police notice issued to journalist Vimal Chinnappan reads, on paper, like a routine affirmation of procedure. Police cannot summon a journalist for questioning without registering a formal case. Section 35(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) permits arrest under specific conditions; it does not authorise informal inquiries, fishing expeditions, or “come and explain” notices. That much is settled law. And yet, this ruling matters because it exposes how power now operates in quieter ways. Across India, the preferred tool to deal with inconvenient journalism is no longer the FIR. It is the summons without one. There appears to be no formal accusation, paperwork or clarity. Just enough pressure to unsettle a reporter, waste time and send a message. The punishment is not prosecution, like in all matter of redtape, the punishment is the process. In Chinnappan’s case, the

WhistleOut Managing Editor Alex Choros has spoken of the rewarding feeling he experienced when he and fellow WhistleOut scribes Dylan Crismale, Hannah Geremia and Fergus Halliday took out wins at the Consensus IT Writers Awards.  “It is always rewarding to see the team’s work be recognised within the industry. We have such a strong, talented team, and seeing Dylan, Fergus, Hannah, and my own reporting get that recognition from the Consensus Awards judges is a great feeling,” Choros told Influencing.  Choros won the Best Editor category, thanks to his entry which focused on what he described as Apple’s lukewarm AI implementation. Choros had offered his thoughts on new features, including a magic eraser and visual intelligence.  Crismale’s Best News Writer win was thanks to his exclusive report on the new Starlink congestion charge of $145 coming to Australian customers, particularly those living in Greater Western Sydney and Victoria, wh

AI has moved far beyond being a background tool. It now sits inside the very systems that shape how people see, hear, and believe the world. Deepfake videos, synthetic voices, and AI-generated anchors are no longer fringe experiments. They circulate daily on social media, research platforms, and discussion spaces like Quora and Reddit. Often, people engage with them without realising they are interacting with manufactured realities. What looks convincing now carries the power to quietly rewrite truth. This is no longer just a technological concern. It is a newsroom crisis. Even industry leaders admit the danger. Google CEO Sundar Pichai has said that while AI may help invent cures for diseases like cancer, it can also generate deepfake videos powerful enough to keep him “sleepless at night.” That fear is no longer abstract. It is becoming a working condition for journalists. Indian newsrooms are beginning to respond. Organisations such as The Times of India have started flaggi

As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) heads to polls on 15 January, CNN-News18 launches extensive on-ground election coverage with its special programming, ‘Ballot Maximum City’. The channel brings together top anchors, editors, and reporters to decode one of the most important civic elections in India’s financial capital. Being India’s richest municipal body, the BMC shapes Mumbai’s civic infrastructure, public health, transport, and urban governance. After eight years, these elections have gained added importance amid changing political equations and voter expectations. As per Adgully, the lineup includes short segments under ‘Ballot Maximum City’ featuring political leaders like Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, Aaditya Thackeray, Varun Sardesai, and Praful Patel. ‘Reporters Project’ captures voter sentiment and civic issues, while ‘Mumbai Local’ brings candid chats with local personalities including Mil

Gaurav Banerjee, Managing Director and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), is being widely recognised for his journey from journalism to leading one of India’s largest entertainment networks. With more than 20 years of experience, Banerjee took charge of SPNI in 2024 and has since played a key role in strengthening the network’s content and strategy.  As per e4m, he began his career in journalism as an assistant producer and anchor with Aaj Tak and later Star News, where he developed a strong foundation in storytelling. Over the years, he helped launch regional news and entertainment channels at Star India, including Star Ananda in Bengali, and later headed content at Disney+ Hotstar.  Since taking over at SPNI, he has led efforts to improve ratings, secure high-value ACC broadcast rights, and revive iconic shows like CID. In addition to his corporate role, Banerjee serves as Chairman of BARC India and leads the