The journalism fraternity is mourning the loss of two senior journalists who passed away in separate incidents over the past two days. In Pune, Asseem Sheikh (55), senior journalist with The Times of India’s Pune edition, died on January 5 after a prolonged illness. Renowned for his in‑depth reporting on crime, law and order, the judicial system, and issues related to the Pune Cantonment, Sheikh had built a strong reputation in the city’s media circles. Beginning his career at 19, he worked with Mid‑Day and The Maharashtra Herald before joining The Times of India, where he was associated for over 18 years. He is survived by a brother and two sisters, Punekar News reported. In Mysuru, Rajkumar Bhavasar (64), a senior journalist, died on January 4 after succumbing to injuries sustained in a recent road accident. Bhavasar had fallen from his motorcycle near Kalale village in Nanjangud taluk and was undergoing treatment at the Trauma Care Centre on KRS Road. A resident of

In what has been described as another attack on a minority community, Rana Pratap Bairagi (38), a Hindu businessman and acting newspaper editor, was allegedly shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jessore district, according to Mid-Day. Bairagi, who owned an ice-making factory in Kopaliya Bazar, Monirampur, also served as acting editor of Dainik BD Khabar, published from Narail. Additional Police Superintendent Abul Basar told the media that the incident occurred around 5.45 pm on Monday at Kapalia Bazar. Citing local residents and police accounts, Prothom Alo reported that three men on a motorcycle allegedly called Bairagi out of his factory and took him to an alley near the Kapalia Clinic and Diagnostic Centre. He was then allegedly shot in the head at close range before the attackers fled.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday inaugurated the 31st IES–Digiana Inter Press Cricket Tournament, organised by the Bhopal Sports Journalists Association at the Old Campion Ground. In his address, Yadav emphasised the vital role of journalists in strengthening democracy, praising the contributions of Madhya Pradesh’s media professionals at the national level. He also recalled the legacy of Makhanlal Chaturvedi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in journalism and literature. The Chief Minister noted that the tournament has been held continuously for three decades, extending his best wishes for its successful conduct. Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishvas Sarang, senior journalists, and public representatives were also present at the event.

Veteran journalist N R S Babu was honoured with the first S Jayachandran Nair Award on January 2, as part of events marking the late editor’s first death anniversary. The award, instituted in memory of S Jayachandran Nair, former editor of Samakalika Malayalam Weekly, was presented by artist B D Dathan at Babu’s residence. At a meeting organised by the S J Smaraka Samithi at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, Dathan recalled his long association with Nair. Senior journalist M G Radhakrishnan delivered the S Jayachandran Nair Memorial Lecture on “Kerala Politics”, analysing the state’s shifting bipolar landscape, the Left front’s recent electoral setbacks, and challenges facing all three political fronts ahead of the Assembly elections. On the occasion, a book on Nair titled Oru Pathrapravarthakante Anubhavakkurippukalum Ormakalum, edited by P M Binukumar, was also released, The New Indian Express reported.

Image source: The Tribune   "Who flew in Punjab CM's chopper?" This simple question raised by Punjab-based RTI activist Manik Goyal has landed him and a bunch of other YouTubers and journalists in a legal soup besides stirring a media storm in the AAP-governed state. A few days ago, the RTI activist had allegedly received reliable information that CM Mann Singh's chopper had been flown when he was on a tour abroad.  He immediately took to social media and posed the question, which was also followed up by other YouTubers and a handful of journalists. Instead of receiving a clarification from the government, which Manik and others had hoped for, the scribes and the social media influencers who followed the story were slammed with criminal charges. According to a report by Divya Goyal for The Indian Express, the Ludhiana police registered an FIR last month against 10 people, including RTI activist Manik Goyal, for allegedly posting “distorted and

Network18 has renewed its long-standing partnership with CNN International for its English news channel CNN-News18, extending the brand and content licensing agreement for another 10 years, till December 31, 2035.  The partnership, which began in 2005 and was renewed in 2015, now enters its third decade. Under the renewed agreement, CNN-News18 will expand its global digital presence, including on YouTube and Connected TV (CTV), to reach international audiences.  Rahul Joshi, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Network18 Group, said the renewed deal marks a unique global news collaboration and will open new growth opportunities across digital and connected TV platforms.  The partnership gains importance at a time when news is increasingly global yet local, with events worldwide impacting everyday lives. CNN’s global reporting strength, combined with Network18’s reach and credibility, aims to deliver comprehensive

    A senior Kerala‑based leader has drawn widespread criticism after allegedly branding a Muslim journalist a “terrorist,” an incident that has renewed concerns about free expression and minority rights in India. According to Kashmir Media Service, Vellappally Natesan, general secretary of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, described Reporter TV journalist Rahees Rasheed as an “extremist” during a press conference. The remark reportedly followed an earlier incident in which Natesan pushed away Rasheed’s microphone after being questioned about educational institutions allotted to SNDP under the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. Natesan later attempted to justify his comments by citing Rasheed’s past association with the Muslim Students Federation (MSF), the student wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), but did not provide evidence linking him to extremist activity. Political leaders condemned the remarks. Opposition Leader V.