There's an old editor's joke: the difference between a journalist and a blogger is a business card. For years, that punchline held regulatory weight too. You were either a registered news publisher, bound by ethics codes, grievance mechanisms and the long arm of the Press Council, or you were just a person with a phone and an opinion. India's digital law largely agreed, but not anymore. On March 30, 2026, MeitY quietly dropped draft amendments to the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules that could render that distinction legally meaningless. The proposed changes to Rule 8(1) would extend Part III of the IT Rules -- the ethics code framework previously reserved for digital news publishers to cover user-generated content that qualifies as "news or current affairs." In plain English: if you're posting breaking news on YouTube, running a political commentary reel on Instagram, or live-tweeting a protest on X, you may soon be playing by the same ruleboo

AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj has raised objections over remarks made by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during the Times Now Summit 2026, alleging that her comments amounted to an attack on the judiciary. In a letter to Times Now Managing Director Vineet Jain, Bhardwaj said Gupta described the discharge order in the excise case as “set” or “fixed.” He argued that such remarks undermine judicial credibility. According to e4m, Bhardwaj also criticised anchor and group editor‑in‑chief Navika Kumar for not objecting to the statement or seeking evidence. He said allowing such remarks without scrutiny raises concerns about editorial standards and media impartiality.

The death of young journalist Rahat Ali Khan has raised serious concerns, with his family alleging foul play and demanding justice. Rahat’s father, Sadiqullah, accused his wife Arju Tamanna and her family of poisoning him, claiming Khan had earlier been threatened by his in‑laws and that his death was part of a planned conspiracy. The family said that despite filing a police complaint naming the accused, only one person has been arrested so far, leaving them frustrated over delays in action. They added that the post‑mortem report points to poisoning. The family has appealed for a fair investigation and immediate arrest of all accused. Local residents and journalist groups have also demanded action, News4nation reported. 

“A real honour” is how Fergus Halliday described his win in the Best Gaming Journalist category at this year’s Samsung Australian IT Journalism Awards.  Halliday explained that seeing both his name and work on the big screen at the awards for a second (after a first triumph in this category in 2024) was unexpected, but something he deeply appreciated.  “I’ve been entering the Lizzies for a long time. A lot of the writers who have inspired me to write about games have been recognised in this category.  “There are increasingly few avenues for the work I do around games to be recognised, and the gaming categories at the Lizzies are historically competitive. So, it means a lot to me both professionally and personally.”  Halliday’s winning entries this year included an article for Aftermath that focused on game guides and the history of the format, titled “From Nintendo Power Hotline To Now, Human Labor Has Alwa

Fuel relief plan in disarray as petrol pain persists Several papers lead with the failure of premiers to agree on cutting fuel costs, with a proposed GST-on-fuel change derailed by state and territory infighting and warnings that any federal excise cut could be quickly swallowed by price rises. The story matters nationally because it goes to cost-of-living credibility, federal–state coordination, and whether relief actually reaches the bowser. Covered by: Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, Australian Financial Review. Chalmers under pressure as debt nears $1 trillion and stagflation fears rise Economic front pages converge on a warning that Australia is no longer a “low-debt” country, as Treasurer Jim Chalmers resists locking in further savings while commentators and economists push for tax and structural reform to avoid stagflation amid global shocks. The significance is political and fiscal: it frames the coming budget as a test of Labor’s

Raising concerns over the safety and welfare of journalists, Hoshangabad–Narsinghpur MP Darshan Singh Chaudhary strongly pitched for a comprehensive policy during Parliament’s Zero Hour, stressing that the profession continues to operate without adequate safeguards despite being a pillar of democracy. Highlighting risks faced by reporters on the ground, Chaudhary said journalism remains the fourth pillar of democracy, yet those working in the field often lack basic security and institutional support. He urged the government to formulate a dedicated “Journalists’ Safety and Welfare Policy” to address these concerns. “Journalists are not just a medium for delivering news; they act as a crucial bridge between the government and the public. They hold power accountable and play a vital role in raising awareness in society. Despite this, they face numerous risks,” he said. Emphasising the link between press freedom and democracy, Chaudhary added: “Only when the pen is sa

The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) held its 11th plenary on March 28, attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Speaking at the event, CM Naidu emphasised the importance of a free and ethical press, calling journalism the fourth pillar of democracy. He alleged that press freedom was curtailed between 2019 and 2024, but said the current government has restored the freedom to question and urged journalists to uphold ethics and values. Highlighting challenges posed by social media, the CM urged journalists to lead the fight against fake news. He announced that accreditation has been extended to mandal‑level reporters and a dedicated Journalist Welfare Fund has been set up. CM Naidu further said that attacks on journalists would be probed by officers of the rank of Superintendent of Police, while the IJU’s request for office space in Amaravati has been referred to a sub‑committee for early action, The Hindu reported.