For nearly three months, journalists have not been allowed to stand outside the Election Commission of India’s headquarters on Delhi’s Ashoka Road or film visuals from across the street. The area remains barricaded with police restrictions in place. According to Newslaundry, television reporters say the curbs have made it impossible to record on-camera reports or track which politicians are visiting the Commission and why. The barricades were first set up in August, when police blocked the opposition’s march to the EC office over alleged election irregularities. An EC official cited Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita as the reason for the curbs. Additional DCP (New Delhi) Anand Mishra called them “routine,” saying they help regulate VIP movement and traffic.

A video from Bihar has been making rounds showing BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad assaulting a journalist after being asked what the Modi–Nitish government has achieved in 20 years. According to a video shared by Maktoob, the journalist’s question appeared to anger Prasad, who seemed to have twisted the reporter’s hand and lashed out physically. The video, widely circulated on social media, has triggered outrage among journalists and opposition parties. Opposition parties said the assault reflects a “jungle raj” atmosphere, where questioning those in power is met with aggression instead of accountability. The journalist community has demanded strict action and reiterated the need to ensure the safety of reporters, particularly when engaging with political figures in public spaces.

PHD India has won the integrated media mandate for leading Indian FMCG company Marico Limited, following a rigorous multi-agency pitch. The appointment marks a strategic inflection point for Marico as it seeks to augment its position as a future-ready, digitally empowered consumer company.  Monaz Todywalla, CEO, PHD India, said that partnering with a brand of such legacy and ambition is both a privilege and a commitment. She added, "Together, we look forward to unlocking new possibilities for growth and innovation, building on Marico’s remarkable journey with fresh energy and strategic depth to drive successful business outcomes." Akash Banerji, Executive Vice President & Head, Digital Transformation and Beauty & Styling Digital Business, Marico Limited, said, "Modern media planning demands sophisticated approaches to navigate complexity and deliver tangible results. We are delighted to partner with PHD India, whose expertise and capabilities align with this vision. Tog

Image source: CNN, Firstpost and The Times; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   A packed Monday evening near Delhi’s Red Fort turned into a mass-casualty scene when a slow-moving Hyundai i20 exploded at a traffic light, igniting nearby vehicles and sending body parts flying across the carriageway. At least nine people died and scores were injured. As agencies fan out across Delhi, Haryana and beyond, investigators are testing every hypothesis—from an accidental device detonation to a coordinated terror strike—making this the third state in the spotlight for major security concerns after recent alarms in Gujarat and J&K. Hot off the Press The Times of India's Rajshekhar Jha reported nine dead and dozens injured after a high-intensity blast engulfed multiple vehicles; registration trails show the car changed hands, last tied to a Pulwama resident “Tariq.” Agencies including NSG and NIA joined the probe, with a terror angle not ruled out. Nikhil Sharma and Naseer Ganai separate

The 93rd birth anniversary of veteran journalist and politician Pradyumna Bal, founder editor of Pragativadi, was recently observed in Odisha, celebrating his lasting contribution to journalism and public life, Pragativadi reported. Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said journalists must “pull the government’s ear like schoolteachers,” stressing that fearless journalism refines governance and upholds truth. He described Bal as a “school of politics” and a voice for the voiceless, lamenting that the fear of losing advertisements often curbs honest reporting. Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, former Chief Justice and Lokpal of India, remembered Bal as a rare blend of journalist, politician, and educator who left Bombay’s film industry to serve Odisha through politics and the founding of Pragativadi. Keynote speaker Prof. Biswaranjan said Bal redefined journalism as a mission, not a profession, while MLA Sarada Pradhan recalled his political ideals inspired by Jayaprakash N

The Australian Financial Review has rebranded its B2B subscriptions offering from 'Corporate Subscriptions' to ‘Financial Review for Business’. The rebranded offering introduces a suite of new products that give organisations direct access to the Financial Review’s news and insights.  The rebrand - says owner Nine - “signals a major commitment to meeting the efficiency and integration demands of a modern, technology-driven workflow, equipping Australia’s key decision makers with the information they need to make informed strategic decisions in a dynamic market”. James Chessel, Editor in Chief of The Australian Financial Review, said: "For more than seven decades, The Australian Financial Review has set the standard for editorial quality, credibility and authority, earning its place as a trusted source for Australia’s business leaders in an increasingly complex world.  “Financial Review for Business builds on that legacy through an innovative suite of products tha

Morning and welcome to Tuesday and a stunning picture by Phil Hillyard on the front page of The Daily Telegraph this morning - but also a curious one - that's Australian cricket bowler Mitchell Starc giving it his all. Have a look a the bloke on the receiving end. Does he look worried? Unless he usually plays the ball with his ankles crossed, I don't think so. But that leads us nicely into the upcoming Ashes tour, the first match of which will be played later this month in Perth, so expect most media to be following it closely. According to Marcus de Blonk Smith in The Australian this morning, some 40,000 Barmy Army folks (that's the English supporter contingent, in case you didn't know) are either here or on their way, so it's shaping up to be a very big event indeed.   Sticking with the Tele for a moment, a front page story from Aidan Devine and Jake McCallum quotes 'real estate experts' who say the federal government's expanded first home-buyer scheme "launched a wave of