Bookings are now open for the 2025-2026 Google workshop aimed at small-to-medium Australian and New Zealand-based public interest news organisations.  The program will be run by proven experts in AI experimentation and implementation, Other Labs, in association with The AI Training Company. Building on similar programs run over 2023 and 2024, the program will lead publishers through a 16-week process to: Inspire news organisations to create impactful editorial and business experiments through training sessions focused on examples of Google’s generative AI products, expert advice from Google’s product team, and industry-leading speakers Design and execute experiments using AI tools, with news organisations supported by expert industry mentors Showcase impact by tracking results, documenting experiments in case studies and creating editorial and safety principles Example projects developed during previous programs have included:   Creating a monthly AI audio news wrap

Influencing, last night attended nextmedia's What's Next?/ Halloween Party held at The Establishment on George Street, Sydney. The spooky event saw guests rock up in their best Halloween costumes for a couple of announcements alongside a night of fun and networking.  Publishing Director for B2B, Velvet-Belle Templeman, announced iTnews' plans, including a sneak peek at its new Executive Retreats - a way for C-Suite Executives to connect and network over a range of different activities. As well techpartner.news' Commercial Director Steven McDonald announced nextmedia's Channel publication, including the move of the Impact Awards to its own event in August after it was formerly a part of Pipeline, which itself has been moved to May 6 - 8 at a new location - Hamilton Island. McDonald also announced the launch of a new bespoke video podcasting studio for nextmedia.  Here's a collection of photos from the evening.   

Welcome to Friday and let's start with The Australian Financial Review this morning which somewhat uncharacteristically has a man jumping on a trampoline, but fear not it is still a finance-linked story. Say hello to Max Marchione who is on the front page because he's also in the Young Rich List, included today as a glossy insert in the paper and 25-year-old Marchione debuts at number 91 with a net worth of $53 million. He founded an app called Superpower which apparently is now worth some $300 million. Not to put a dampener on things, but doesn't it look a bit dangerous trampolining near the edge of that tall building? Still, I suppose you don't get rich by not taking risks.   Not to be outdone - News Corp's Daily Telegraph has a list of its own too today, and in many ways it's very similar to the Nine offering - 250 Young Entrepreneurs. Sarah Simpkins pens a story on that. Back to the AFR and a story close to its remit is the latest on the James Hardie situation after

The 65th birth anniversary of late journalist Khelen Thokchom was observed on Wednesday at his residence in Tera Tongbram Leikai, Imphal West. The event was organized by the Khelen Thokchom Trust (KTT). Attendees, including family members, colleagues and associates, paid floral tributes and reflected on Thokchom’s contributions to journalism in Manipur and the Northeast. A portrait of Thokchom was placed at the venue as part of the commemoration, Imphal Times reported. KTT President Robert Sapam and Thokchom Ongbi Memcha Devi, the journalist’s wife, led the floral offerings. Thokchom served as The Telegraph’s Special Correspondent in Manipur until his death on April 1, 2018. His reporting highlighted regional issues and brought attention to stories from Manipur and the Northeast that were often underrepresented in national media.

An Ahmedabad-based journalist, identified as Dirghayu Vyas, who was accused of duping a bullion trader of Rs10 lakh, surrendered before a local court on Wednesday, October 29. According to The Times of India, Vyas has been named in four cases involving charges of cheating, extortion, and violations under the Arms Act. Recently, a complaint was filed against him at the Sabarmati Police Station by a woman journalist, alleging that he had taken her four-wheeler for use and later refused to return it, while also threatening her that he had a gun. The Ahmedabad City Crime Branch took him into custody soon after he surrendered.

Senior journalist Anuj Khare has ended his tenure with the India Today Group. According to e4m, he was serving as editor at Aaj Tak (Digital), editor of Good News Today, and mentor of Kisan Tak. As per the report, October 31 will be his last working day. Over his long career, Khare has held several key positions, including editor (Digital) at Zee Media. He was also associated with the Dainik Bhaskar Group in 2020, where he worked for the group’s Gujarati website Divya Bhaskar and also headed its Marathi news website, among other versatile roles.

The Press Club of India (PCI) has expressed serious concern over the alleged harassment of senior Tripura journalist Pranab Sarkar, who is also a member of the club. In a statement, the PCI said it stands in solidarity with Sarkar and urged the Tripura government to ensure his safety and provide necessary protection. The Tripura Journalists Union also condemned the incident, alleging that a surrendered militant leader, who is now an MLA in the Tripura Assembly, had threatened Sarkar by filing a false complaint against him. The move, the union claimed, was intended to prevent the journalist from publishing reports on the alleged “misdeeds” of the legislator. Both the Press Club of India and the Tripura Journalists Union called upon the media fraternity to stand by Sarkar and uphold the freedom of the press against such acts of intimidation.