The Kerala High Court has quashed a criminal defamation complaint against a Malayalam media publication and its editorial staff, holding that journalists do not attract criminal defamation merely for reporting official law enforcement actions that cause reputational harm to litigants.  In his order, Justice C S Dias noted that a prosecution ‘under Section 499 of the IPC cannot be sustained merely because a statement is alleged to have affected the complainant's reputation. The complaint must contain specific averments disclosing that the accused made or published the imputation with the intention to harm the complainant's reputation, or at least with the knowledge or reasonable belief that such consequence would ensue.' The case pertains to a press conference held October 11, 2012, during which allegations were made against the complainant who was accused of alleged illegal possession of Indian Made Country Liquor. The media subsequently telecast the press conference.  The co

A state-level consultation on strengthening child protection through ethical and responsible reporting was held in Dimapur on August 11, bringing together media houses and YouTubers. Organised by Prodigals’ Home with support from DKA Austria, the meeting highlighted the need for greater sensitivity, legal awareness and responsible editing while reporting cases involving children.  Journalists Prasanjit Dutta of Eastern Mirror and Musaraf Ali of Nagaland TV shared newsroom challenges and stressed that journalists must protect children’s privacy and dignity, particularly in cases involving children in conflict with the law and underage victims. Dr. Moalemba Jamir, Associate Editor of Morung Express, highlighted how indirect details such as schools, localities, family information, photographs and uniforms can reveal a child’s identity.  The consultation also emphasised legal safeguards under the POCSO Act, 2012 and Juvenile Justice

The Supreme Court ruled that the Maharashtra government cannot delegate its power to refer disputed wage claims of journalists and newspaper employees to Labour Courts under Section 17(2) of the Working Journalists Act, 1955, according to the Court Book.    The ruling followed challenges to the state’s 2016 notification authorising labour department officers to make such references in cases involving Dainik Bhaskar and All India Reporter.  A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu held that while Section 17(1) allows delegation for undisputed dues, Section 17(2) requires the government itself to determine whether a genuine dispute exists.   Using Article 142, the Court directed Maharashtra to review all references made by delegated officers and record fresh satisfaction within six months. Valid cases will continue, while employees can pursue other remedies where references are not sustained.

Sikkim Express editor Amit Patro encouraged young students to develop a habit of reading, ask questions and remain curious during a mentorship session at Middle Syari Government Primary School in Sikkim. Patro interacted with the students as a distinguished guest mentor under the school’s School Development and Mentorship Initiative, which seeks to give students exposure to people and experiences beyond their immediate surroundings. Given the age of the students, Patro said he kept the session brief and conversational, allowing them to ask questions rather than turning it into a formal lecture. “I just told them that they should inculcate the habit of reading. It was more of an interactive session where they asked questions. I tried to encourage the idea of kids asking a lot of questions because it is very important during the learning phase,” he said. Patro also drew on some of the fundamental principles of journalism to speak about values that extend beyond th

Journalist, editor, and Founder and Publisher of Interiors Addict, Jen Bishop (Francis), has passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer.  Bishop’s husband, Damian Francis, first announced the news in a touching tribute posted to Bishop’s LinkedIn account earlier this week.   Within the tribute, Francis thanked her for everything before going on to write, “I am so very proud and honoured to have called you my wife and my best friend. So very grateful for the love, guidance and support you have given me, and so very privileged to have raised two amazing children with you”.  Francis noted that later this year the two would’ve been together for 18 years, and October would have seen them married for 13.  In April 2011, Bishop founded Interiors Addict, where she continued to write about interior design, home and renovation topics, working with brands such as IKEA, Rawson Homes, Amazon, Big W and Dulux. Bishop (Francis)’

Labor’s migration crackdown: deportation focus in delayed overhaul Labor is weighing a tougher migration enforcement package that would boost compliance activity and target visa overstayers for detention and deportation, with the announcement reportedly being closely managed from the top amid concerns about political and economic blowback. The story matters because it signals a sharper “law-and-order” turn in migration policy and foreshadows a major debate about workforce needs, social cohesion and border integrity. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald, The Age. Weight-loss drugs under scrutiny after suspected links to 60+ deaths New reporting suggests more than 60 Australian deaths may have suspected links to popular weight-loss injections, alongside thousands of severe adverse reaction reports, prompting renewed warnings about off-label use and medical oversight. Beyond the immediate health risk, the revelations collide with a fast-moving policy fight over whether GLP‑1 dr