Image source: News On Air, The Hindu and Mint; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   Bihar’s electorate headlined Round 1 of the “vikas versus badlav” battle Thursday with the state’s highest-ever voter turnout of 64.7 per cent in 121 assembly constituencies of 18 districts, marking a decimal-point improvement over the previous record of 64.6 per cent in the 1998 Lok Sabha election. The assembly poll turnout closest to the new record is 62.6 per cent in 2000. Hot Off the Press Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha’s convoy and a CPM candidate’s car were reportedly attacked but they were the only law-and-order blips as an estimated 2.4 crore out of 3.7 crore registered voters voted across 45,341 polling booths, 36,733 of these in the rural belt. A voter in Vaishali came on buffalo back, some rode horses, and a few reached their designated polling stations by boat, reported Manoj Chaurasia and Bharti Jain for The Times of India. The first phase had 1,314 candidates, 122 of them women, con

The Delhi High Court has quashed a criminal defamation complaint filed by lawyer Vikram Singh Chauhan against senior journalist Arnab Goswami and two former Times Now executives, Shrijeet Ramakant Mishra and Samir Jain, The Legal Affair reported The case stemmed from a 2016 episode of The NewsHour, the channel’s primetime debate show, which discussed the violence at the Patiala House Court during the hearing of former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar’s sedition case. Chauhan had alleged that the remarks made in the broadcast were defamatory and intended to harm his reputation. A bench presided over by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna examined the matter in detail, analysing the contours of journalistic privilege and the provisions of defamation under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code. After reviewing the evidence and the scope of free expression in news reporting, the court set aside the trial court’s order summoning the accused and quashed the entire criminal compla

A journalist has been accused of involvement in a job fraud case amounting to approximately Rs 10.5 lakh, following allegations that he promised police jobs to five individuals in Tripura, Tripura Chronicle reported. The accused, identified as Joydul Hossain, a self-proclaimed editor of the Boxanagar Press Club, allegedly assured the aspirants of employment in the state police department in exchange for payment. After realising they had been misled, the victims filed a police complaint. An investigation into the matter is underway.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha expressed concern over India’s position in the 2023 Press Freedom Index, describing it as a “disturbing signal” that warrants collective reflection, Tripura Chronicle reported. Saha made the remarks during the inauguration of a three-day media workshop held at the Agartala Press Club on November 4. The event, organised by the Information & Cultural Affairs Department in collaboration with the Press Club, brought together 356 media professionals from print, digital, photojournalism, and broadcast sectors. Highlighting the role of the press in sustaining democratic values, Saha noted that while press freedom is not explicitly listed among the Constitution’s foundational pillars, it is protected under Article 19(1) and remains essential to a vibrant democracy. He recalled his early interactions with journalists at the Agartala Press Club and acknowledged the media’s influence on public discourse. Addressing past incidents involving jour

Journalist and anchor Gurpiar Singh of Hamdard TV (Canada), who was reportedly abducted from Mohali, has been located by Punjab Police in Kotkapura, Zee News reported. Singh was allegedly taken from the channel’s office in Shivalik Vihar, Naya Gaon, SAS Nagar (Mohali district). While the motive remains under investigation, initial findings suggest a possible dispute involving financial transactions. Acting on directives from senior officials, including the Director General of Police and the Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police, law enforcement teams reviewed CCTV footage and conducted field operations to trace Singh’s whereabouts. He was found with injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment. Authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation to identify all individuals involved in the incident.

  Akashvani Imphal celebrated its Diamond Jubilee with a commemorative event at the City Convention Centre, recognising six decades of public service in Manipur and across India. The programme was held on November 1 and featured Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla as the chief guest, India Today NE reported. The Governor released the Diamond Jubilee Souvenir and presented citations to Akashvani officers and sponsors for their contributions. Notable attendees included Anurag Bajpai, Additional Chief Secretary; Rajiv Kumar Jain, Director General of Akashvani; Satyajeet Dash, Additional Director General of Akashvani (North East Zone); and senior state officials. In his address, Governor Bhalla commended Akashvani Imphal for its role in promoting national integration, preserving Manipur’s cultural heritage, and reaching remote communities through programming in local dialects. He also acknowledged the station’s commitment to integrity and innovation, citing its 24x7 YouTube live s

A recent Media Watch segment has caused a stir, raising questions about how companies approach potential product review opportunities.  The ABC program detailed the AlloffRoad 4x4 YouTube channel, and Stephan Fischer offered a product to review by electronics company DJI  Fischer was keen to review its DJI Power 1000 V2 Power Bank on a 4WD camping trip, but he ended up knocking back the opportunity - which included the product for review, a cash budget of $800 and a list of very restrictive demands.  Those demands included a content plan to be sent to DJI at least 3 days before shooting, a preview video sent before September 10, with the video to be published by September 15.  DJI also provided Fischer with a list of required elements that should be covered.  But perhaps more concerning, his DJI contact asked that the review focus on the positive aspects of the product.  Fischer was also asked to sign an NDA preventing him from mentioning the conversations or the opportu