A delegation from the Karnataka Working Journalists’ Association (KUWJ), led by State President Shivananda Tagadoor, met Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and felicitated him with a book and a Ganpati idol. During the meeting, the delegation submitted a memorandum seeking the speedy implementation of the bus pass facility and the Media Sanjeevini scheme for rural journalists. The Chief Minister assured them that necessary action would be taken on the demands. The KUWJ also invited Shivakumar to inaugurate Press Day celebrations scheduled for July 1, which are observed annually under the joint aegis of the Karnataka Information Department, Media Academy, and KUWJ. Traditionally, the Chief Minister inaugurates the event each year. Shivakumar responded positively, saying he would make efforts to attend despite his busy schedule. The delegation included Bidar District Working Journalists’ Association President Anand Devappa, General Secretary Shivakumar, State Executive Committee Mem

Senior journalist Mr Periyasamy passed away following a prolonged illness. His mortal remains were kept at the Chennai Press Club (CPC), where members of the media fraternity gathered to pay their last respects. Many senior journalists, editors and young reporters shared memories of Periyasamy, recalling his valuable contributions to journalism and the lasting impact he made throughout his career. Colleagues described him as a respected figure whose work and guidance influenced generations of journalists, leaving behind a legacy of commitment to the profession.

Harrison Polites has dropped the paywall on his gaming Substack, Infinite Lives, in a bid to bolster the publication's growth, and is part of a wider rethink as to what monetisation looks like for the publication.  Polites introduced the paywall last year under a model that allowed readers to access new stories for a limited time before they moved behind a subscription barrier. He told Influencing most paid subscribers signed up to support his work rather than gain access to archived content. That noted, access to the archives did tempt some people, “But what [people] did was sign up, read the article, and then unsubscribe, which wasn't necessarily the plan.” Polites said the paywall had nevertheless achieved its objectives. “It proved that my writing was worth paying for… It also proved that people believe in the mission of what I'm doing, which is trying to find a way to make gaming journalism more sustainable”.  Polites said Infinite Lives' subscriber base had ne

The Walkley Foundations have confirmed that former ABC journalist Ben Butler has resigned as head of the chair of the Walkley judging committee, following allegations that he was heard to say a colleague should be ““killed and buried in a shallow grave”. He has been replaced by Gay ­Alcorn of The Age. Alcorn is a three-time Walkley Award winner and a senior writer with Good Weekend magazine. Butler’s resignation follows The Australian’s media editor James Madden reporting on allegations of the offensive comments made during a “heated phone conversation” in the ABC’s Melbourne newsroom. Butler resigned from the ABC following the incident, but Butler told The Australian that the events “appear to reflect a distorted version of an overheard private conversation. I resigned from the ABC following a series of short-term contracts.”  Announcing the change of the chair, the Walkley Foundation would only confirm that “Ben Butler has resigned as the chair of the

ASIO sounds alarm on Iran-linked plots and a worsening terror landscape ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess has warned the “probable” terror threat setting may understate the real danger, flagging a more volatile mix of ideologies and the prospect of Iran-aligned networks attempting violence in Australia. The intervention sharpens pressure on government to recalibrate public threat messaging and bolster counter-terror and foreign-interference settings amid heightened community anxiety. Covered by: The Australian, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian. Karl Stefanovic fallout deepens as Nine weighs exit after far-right podcast storm Channel Nine is grappling with reputational and commercial blowback after Karl Stefanovic’s podcast interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, with reports ranging from negotiations over his departure to claims he has already been dropped from the Today role. The episode underscores how quickly talent controversies can trigger

Madhur Singh, founder of Climate Action Live, has issued a call for pitches from journalists, researchers, and practitioners across the climate ecosystem. The platform is seeking evidence-based stories focused on climate solutions, including AI and climate transition, grassroots innovation, emerging climate technologies, policy and accountability, and the global climate transition. Formats welcomed include reported features, investigations, explainers, profiles, data stories, and visual journalism. Interested contributors are invited to send a 200–300 word pitch, along with a reporting plan, key sources, and links to previous work, to info@climateaction.live. writing and news media.   

Ask a man who has just received the country's second-highest civilian honour what he would tell the next generation, and you expect a speech. P. Narayanan gave the opposite. "I'm not a big person to advise anyone," the 90-year-old told Influencing, with the flatness of someone who means it. Then, almost reluctantly, he allowed himself one line: journalists, he said, should try their best to bring the issues faced by ordinary people to light. That is the entire instruction. No talk of influence, access or legacy. Just the work, pointed outward, away from the journalist and toward the people the journalism is supposed to serve. For anyone who has watched Narayanan's six decades in Malayalam journalism, it is less a piece of advice than a description of what he has always done. Narayanan was conferred the Padma Vibhushan in the field of Literature and Education, one of only five recipients of the award this year. He was presented the honour at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delh