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

Sky News Australia is enhancing its reporting footprint across Australia and globally with new journalist appointments and expanded coverage. Jonathan Lea takes on the role of National Affairs Correspondent, with the aim of driving in-depth reporting on the economic, political and social issues shaping everyday life for Australian families. Jaynie Seal (pictured) has been appointed Regional Correspondent and will focus on the concerns of regional communities, ensuring the challenges and triumphs of regional Australia receive the national attention they deserve. In this role Seal will present a special investigative series, State of Health, examining the deepening crisis in regional healthcare. The first episode airing in February will take viewers to the Queensland town of Chinchilla, exploring the pressures, shortages and systemic issues confronting rural communities. Jaynie continues as host of Weekend NewsDay. Bridie Witton joins the network as New Zealand Correspondent, based

"In 2026, good journalism is not defined by how fast it is published or how loud it travels online, but by how honestly it serves the public. That is not just a resolution. It is a quiet declaration of resistance in a world that rewards speed over truth." As 2026 begins, journalists across the country are rethinking what it truly means to do good work in a profession shaped by speed, pressure, and constant digital disruption. The resolutions emerging this year are not about doing more, but about doing better. They reflect a collective shift towards accuracy over urgency, depth over volume, and ethics over influence. One of the strongest commitments is to slow down. Journalists are increasingly aware that rushing to publish can cost them credibility and harm public understanding. Accuracy, careful verification, and context are being chosen over the race to break news first. Alongside this, ethical clarity is becoming non-negotiable. Maintaining distance from political and

Anurag Varma has been appointed chairperson of the advisory wing of the Editors Club of India. The appointment letter was handed over by the club’s president, Amitabh Agnihotri. According to Indian Television, in his new role, Varma will focus on safeguarding the dignity, rights and independence of journalists across the country. A media professional with nearly three decades of experience, Varma has worked across television and digital platforms, including Zee TV, DD News, Reliance Communications, Times Digital and Zee Digital. He is currently a media consultant and a regular political analyst on news channels.

The Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) has quashed a police notice issued to journalist Vimal Chinnappan, ruling that the police had no authority to summon or question him without a registered criminal case, Law Beat reported. Justice Sunder Mohan delivered the order on a criminal original petition filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The notice, issued in October 2025 by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Srivilliputhur Sub Division, had asked Chinnappan to respond to questions about an article allegedly containing defamatory statements against the police. The notice referenced a 2023 case under the IPC and the SC/ST (PoA) Act, but the court observed that the investigation in that matter had already concluded and Chinnappan was not involved. Chinnappan argued that the notice failed to clarify whether he was being summoned as a witness, suspect, or accused, and that police could not summon him without registering a separate case. The State government conceded

  The Odisha government has taken a major step to strengthen the social security and working conditions of journalists in the state. Announcing the initiatives at a gathering organised by the Odisha Union of Journalists (OUJ) on Friday, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the state is in the final stages of implementing a dedicated pension scheme for media professionals. Acknowledging that a pension has long been a demand of the media fraternity, Harichandan said the proposal is now in its “final phase” and will soon be formalized, promising long-term financial security for journalists. The government also outlined several other benefits for journalists: • Legal Safeguards – Measures are being explored to help journalists work with greater safety and independence. • Reduced Accommodation Costs – Room rents at Works Department inspection bungalows will drop from Rs 900 to Rs 300 per day, easing the burden on reporters on field assignments. • Revival of Accredi