In a landmark move for gender representation in Indian media, the Chennai Press Club (CPC) has become the first press club in the country to mandate a 33 per cent reservation for women journalists in its executive committee. The decision was unanimously approved during the Club’s general body meeting held on November 16 at the Dr MGR–Janaki College campus auditorium. The amendment—part of a broader set of new by-laws—was first passed by the existing executive committee before being placed before the general body. It mandates that one-third of the 13-member executive committee be reserved for women, marking a historic first in press club governance nationwide. Explaining the initiative, CPC Vice-President Sundara Bharathi, who also serves as Executive Editor of Newspicks India, said: “The CPC has 13 members, of which one committee member is female and I serve as vice-president. Before the general body meeting, I proposed that four female members should be default member

Picture Credit: The Free Press Journal  Makhanlal Chaturvedi National Journalism and Communication University has released a special issue of its experimental student newspaper Vikalp, focusing on the lived realities of Bhopal’s public transport system. Produced by students from the journalism department, the issue features field reports, on-the-ground photographs, and critical reflections on infrastructure gaps and commuter hardships. With over 1,800 students from nearly 20 states, many of whom face daily transport-related difficulties, the editorial team drew inspiration from their own experiences to investigate the state capital’s mobility challenges. The issue also raises questions about government accountability and the responsiveness of civic systems. The release event was held at Vikas Bhawan on the university’s MP Nagar campus. Speaking at the event, Vice Chancellor Vijay Manohar Tiwari emphasized that journalism becomes meaningful when it amplifies public concerns

A group of reporters covering a leopard rescue operation in Nashik recently experienced a moment of panic when the rescue effort became tricky. Forest officials were attempting to safely capture the leopard when a few journalists, standing close to the action, were seen alarmed and rushing back as the situation turned tense. A video of the incident, shared by Nashik Speaks on Instagram, has since gone viral and triggered a mixed response from viewers. Many questioned whether reporters needed to be positioned so close during an active wildlife rescue. One user reacted with sarcasm, commenting, “The police and forest department were doing nothing. Otherwise, the journalists would have caught the leopard themselves and immediately released it into the forest.” Another viewer raised concerns about safety and protocol, writing, “They are not doing their duty. They can create obstacles in the work of the forest department for their own interest.    

Picture Credit: The Indian Express  India has climbed to the 151st position out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), marking a steady improvement from its rankings of 159 in 2024 and 161 in 2023. Despite the upward trend, India continues to be classified under the “very serious” category, reflecting persistent challenges to press freedom. The RSF Index evaluates the degree of freedom journalists enjoy in each country, based on their ability to report independently and safely, without political, economic, legal, or social interference. The 2025 report underscores that journalism in India remains “difficult,” with editorial interference by media owners reported as “always” or “often” present in 92 of the 180 countries assessed—including India. Globally, Norway retained its top spot, followed by Estonia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland, and Czechia. In Asia, Sou

Image source: Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, ETV Bharat and Reuters; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   As Bangladesh continues to be embroiled in one of the most volatile chapters in its political history, a special tribunal has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for “crimes against humanity” during last year’s student uprising — a verdict delivered in her absence, rejected by her as politically motivated and immediately weaponised by Dhaka to demand her extradition from India. The ruling has triggered public fury, deepened partisan divides and placed New Delhi in an unenviable diplomatic corner: navigate the collapse of a long-time ally while safeguarding its strategic interests in a neighbour slipping into uncertainty. Hot off the Press Sachin Parashar for The Times of India reported that India responded with measured caution, saying it had “taken note” of the tribunal’s decision and would “engage constructively with all stakeholders” in the

Siddh Multispeciality Hospital has onboarded PRable Global as its PR and digital strategy partner to strengthen its presence and amplify its focus on accessible, world-class healthcare, right here in western UP. PRable Global will oversee Siddh Hospital’s integrated PR and digital communications mandate, spanning public relations, media relations, social media, and digital campaigns, to enhance its visibility and showcase its patient-first philosophy and high-quality care at a reasonable price. Known for its 360-degree approach, PRable Global supports brands with PR, digital campaigns, social media and influencer outreach, and has made a mark across sectors such as healthcare, IT, banking, startups and BFSI, building a strong portfolio of brands that trust it for strategic PR and digital communication. “Our role is to bring Siddh Hospital’s story of accessible and ethical healthcare to the forefront and show that quality medical care is a basic human right. We aim to highligh

The Press Council of India (PCI), the statutory autonomous body established under the Press Council Act, 1978, has reiterated its commitment to preserving press freedom and improving professional standards across newspapers and news agencies in the country. The Council considers complaints filed by media professionals on issues such as curtailment of press freedom and assaults on journalists under Section 13 of the Act. These are processed in line with the Press Council (Procedure for Inquiry) Regulations, 1979. The body is also empowered to take suo motu cognisance of matters affecting press freedom and the maintenance of high standards within the industry. Since its inception, the PCI has played a key role in shaping ethical journalism practices, PCI noted in its press release from Nov 16. In 2023, it adopted a report on the representation of the LBTQ+ community in the media, aimed at encouraging fair and responsible coverage. The same year, it drafted guidelines for reporting du