Senior photojournalist and vice chairman of the Mumbai Press Club, Rajanish Kakade, passed away at the age of 55, leaving the media fraternity in deep shock and grief. A highly respected lensman, Kakade was known for capturing history-defining moments with integrity, sensitivity, and a sharp journalistic eye. Beyond his work behind the camera, he was a mentor and guiding force for generations of young photojournalists, consistently encouraging them to pursue truth with courage and compassion. His contribution to Mumbai’s journalistic community extended beyond photographs, as he played a key role in nurturing talent and strengthening media institutions. Kakade was also a recipient of several national and international awards. Beginning his career with the Sakal Group before joining the Hindustan Times where he worked for three years, he later joined the Associated Press and had been with the organisation for the past eighteen years. Colleagues remember him for his humility, unwav

The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) has strongly condemned the attack on senior Manipur journalist Khoirom Loyalakpa and demanded a time-bound, impartial inquiry into the incident. Loyalakpa is the Editor-in-Chief of the Manipuri vernacular daily Naharolgi Thoudang and President of the Manipur Hockey Association. According to the IJU, the attack occurred around 10 pm on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, when armed miscreants intercepted Loyalakpa’s vehicle near the Hatta War Cemetery in Imphal East. The assailants allegedly fired at least two rounds at his car, dragged him out, and assaulted him with blunt objects, causing serious injuries to his face and teeth. He was rushed to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment. In a joint statement, IJU President Geetartha Pathak and Secretary General Vinod Kohli termed the incident a calculated attempt to muzzle the free press. They said repeated attacks on journalists in Manipur reflect a worrying breakdown of law an

India’s print media industry posted mixed results in Q3 FY26, as publishers grappled with a strong high-base comparison from the previous year, which had benefited from heavy festive and election-related advertising. However, softer newsprint prices and rising digital revenues helped ease margin pressures. According to e4m, HT Media recorded close to 30 percent growth in digital earnings, while Hindustan Media Ventures, Jagran Prakashan and DB Corp reported varied financial performances. Lower input costs supported operating margins across several players. Although advertising continues to shift towards digital platforms, print publishers remained resilient, driven by digital expansion and tighter cost controls.

Picture credit: IIMC  Students of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication’s Hindi Journalism Department released the Photo Journalism Special Issue (Aakriti–2026) on Friday, February 20. The publication was unveiled by Pragya Paliwal Gaur, Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. During the release ceremony, lab journals prepared by six student groups were reviewed. The Vice-Chancellor examined the special issue and appreciated the students’ creative and academic efforts. She encouraged them to continue pursuing quality journalism and wished them success in their future careers. The event was attended by course director Rakesh Upadhyay and academic-cum-teaching assistant Kumar Priyatam, who also interacted with the students and acknowledged their work. The special issue showcases the students’ practical learning in photojournalism and reflects their understanding of visual storytelling and field-based reporting.

A Gujarat court sentencing independent investigative journalist Ravi Nair to one year in prison in a criminal case for defamation brought by Adani Enterprises Limited has once again brought to the limelight the blurring of a clear distinction between what constitutes defamation, especially when it concerns public interest journalism. The one-year prison sentence handed down to him on 10 February was a result of a series of 17 posts published by the independent investigative journalist between October 2020 and July 2021 on the social media platform X. The posts in question merely shared media articles, including four of his own investigations, notably published on Adani Watch, the news site specialising in investigations into the Indian conglomerate. This information was already in the public domain and only new content was the journalist’s comments on them. In a strongly worded statement, Célia Mercier, head of the RSF South Asia Desk pointed out how the ca

Image credit: The News Minute  Digital news platform The News Minute (TNM) marked its 12th anniversary on February 21 with a special episode of its podcast South Central, bringing together former and current members of the newsroom. Hosted by Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna, the episode reflected on TNM’s journey from its modest beginnings to becoming an established digital newsroom. The discussion traced how TNM started as a one-room operation with a reporter and an intern and gradually grew into a newsroom known for its focus on caste, gender, power, and culture. Several editors and reporters joined the conversation, sharing memories of TNM’s early days and how its editorial approach evolved over the years. Speakers spoke about the development of a dedicated breaking news desk, the shift towards explainers and deep-dive journalism, and the newsroom’s emphasis on accuracy over speed. The discussion also highlighted TNM’s coverage of major stories from southern India

ABP Network will host the fifth edition of its flagship Ideas of India Summit 2026 on February 27–28 in Mumbai. The two-day event, themed “The New World Order,” will bring together national and international leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and cultural figures to discuss India’s role in an evolving global landscape. The summit will be held offline while also being broadcast across the network’s platforms for wider audience access.  The discussions will span politics, business, technology, society, and culture, focusing on India’s vision and influence in a rapidly changing world. Confirmed speakers include Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, spiritual leader Gauranga Das, author and MP Shashi Tharoor, singer Shreya Ghoshal, and University of Chicago professor John Mearsheimer.  Over the years, the Ideas of India Summit has evolved into a key th