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.

  The BJP‑led Assam government has distributed mobile phones to more than 2,000 journalists using public funds, just months before Assembly elections are expected to be announced. According to Redleaf Report, officials said the initiative was intended to support journalists and improve communication. However, the timing has raised questions about ethics and press independence. At least two journalists returned the devices, given as New Year gifts on Thursday, stating that accepting government‑sponsored items could undermine trust and independence. As reported by Scroll.in, over 2,200 journalists registered with the Directorate of Information and Public Relations are slated to receive Samsung Galaxy F17 phones, valued between Rs 12,600 and Rs 16,000. Some were handed out at a press conference addressed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati, while others are expected to be distributed by district commissioners by Magh Bihu on January 14. With Assembly electi

A Bengaluru City civil court has imposed a cost of ₹10,000 on Reporter TV in Mumbai and dismissed its defamation suit against several media organisations, stating that the channel misused an interim court order and later withdrew the case without explanation. In an order dated December 18, the court directed Reporter TV to restore all content taken down following an ex parte injunction issued on October 25, 2025. It clarified that no mandatory order for permanent deletion had been passed and instructed that the material be restored within one week. According to Media News 4U, Reporter TV had sued multiple organisations, including The News Minute, over reports related to the Muttil illegal tree-felling case involving its directors, the Augustine brothers. After the Karnataka High Court stayed the interim order on December 3, Reporter TV withdrew the suit without explanation. The court said this showed a lack of bona fides and amounted to abuse of judicial process. The judge also

Global journalists and scholars gathered in Nalanda for an international seminar on journalism and human rights, organised jointly by the SAARC Journalists Forum and Nalanda Open University. The event was inaugurated by former Bihar Governor Ganga Prasad. Speakers from Mauritius, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Nepal discussed press freedom, attacks on journalists, and the importance of protecting mother tongues and culture. The first session focused on the rights and safety of journalists, with strong condemnation of attacks on media professionals worldwide. A special feature was a live mobile interaction with a Sri Lankan speaker. Chief Convenor Dr. Shashi Bhushan Kumar announced plans to establish an International University in Vaishali to promote Indian culture and languages globally. Another session highlighted the history and global significance of Nalanda University. Journalists and social workers were honoured with Lifetime Achievement and other awards. Around 200 delegates from

Journalist, media activist and writer R B Jagadish has been selected for the Kannada Payaswini Achievers Award 2026 by Kannada Bhavan, Mangaluru. The selection was announced on January 3. Jagadish, who hails from Kasargod, has earlier served as president of the Karkala Taluk Working Journalists’ Association and as vice-president of the Udupi District Working Journalists’ Association. According to Daijiworld, he has worked with several media organisations, including the Canara Times Group, Mangaluru Mitra, Jana Ee Dina, Pattanga, Udupi News, Vijayakirna, Vijayavani, Jayakirana and Daijiworld. He currently serves as editor of R B News Kannada. The award will be presented on January 18 during the Kannada Bhavan Rajata Sambhrama–Naadu Nudi Habba programme at Kannada Bhavan, Nullippady, Kasargod, Kannada Bhavan founder-president Dr Vaman Rao Bekal and secretary Vasanth Keremane said.