A female journalist from Aaj Tak was allegedly threatened and obstructed while reporting in West Bengal, raising fresh concerns about press freedom and journalist safety. The incident occurred during coverage of a government outreach programme linked to a youth stipend scheme under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s administration. While filming at a registration camp, eyewitnesses said several individuals confronted the reporter, questioned her recording, and allegedly demanded she hand over her camera. Members of the crowd also filmed her during the confrontation, escalating tensions. According to reports, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader objected to her coverage, telling her: “Why are you showing negative news? Show positive!” before allegedly issuing a threat. Though she was not physically assaulted, the verbal intimidation forced her to halt reporting temporarily. The journalist’s report had highlighted how educated unemployed youth were standing in lon

Image edited by Dinesh Raj M   There’s something oddly convenient about a law that doesn’t define what a “secret” is. India’s Official Secrets Act, 1923, was drafted by a colonial government that feared pamphlets more than policy failures. A century later, it continues to sit on our statute books, quietly powerful, vaguely worded and occasionally unsheathed when information leaks become politically uncomfortable. The law criminalises the unauthorised disclosure of government information deemed “secret.” That includes documents, sketches, plans, models and even oral communication. The penalty can stretch up to 14 years’ imprisonment in cases of espionage. Courts can conduct closed-door hearings. Media organisations can face liability. The definition of “secret”? That’s left to the discretion of the state. And that’s where the discomfort begins. Who does the OSA target? On paper, the Act primarily appl

A couple of weeks ago, Leigh Stark introduced a large range of updates to Pickr as part of his Betterment program. And this week he’s done more, introducing a “world-first” Personal Benchmark system for reviewing phones, which takes into account a mobile’s CPU Single Core, CPU Multiple Core and GPU.  “Personal benchmarks is basically a benchmarking platform with the ability to inject your own phone inside of it,” Stark told Influencing.  “We’ve seen regular benchmarks for years. They shuffled online and were a semi-interactive email service that oversaw the data points.  “A personalised benchmark takes that concept and says we have a big list of products used over the years, and asks if it's possible to see how my phone or other products sit in that list.” It’s a two-part system, Stark explains, built for WordPress.  “On the front end, you assemble your benchmarks the way you would for a review…What makes it personal is a little button on the right

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be taking part in News Corp Australia's 2026 Future series events in South Australia and Victoria this month, joining premiers and opposition leaders from both states as they prepare for upcoming elections. Editorial coverage will feature across News’ leading mastheads including The Advertiser, Herald Sun, Geelong Advertiser, The Daily Telegraph, Townsville Bulletin, Cairns Post, NT News, Gold Coast Bulletin and The Courier-Mail. Future SA takes place today, Friday 20 February, in Adelaide. Hosted by The Advertiser, the event focuses on growth and innovation to build a brighter future for South Australia, says News Corp. The PM will provide an address via video while South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas and Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn will deliver their vision for the state less than one month out from the SA election.  Alb

Morning, welcome to both Friday and Ramadan, which began last night. And in a great piece of journalism, and in-depth coverage, and pictures too, The Sydney Morning Herald makes a major inclusive statement by covering the Muslim holy month, reporting from Lakemba. That's the Sydney suburb which earlier this week One Nation leader Pauline Hanson (who lives in Queensland...) portrayed as an unsafe, inhospitable enclave, reports Patrick Begley who has done a superb job of reporting from Lakemba this morning. In a time of rancour and even outright hate it's good to see. It's strength - like most stories - is in the people interviewed and featured, plus excellent pictures on both the front page of the print edition and two pages inside, by Sam Mooy. Great work.  Also at the SMH, an exclusive on page 1 by Angus Thomson ('Plan to protect children from toxic metals erased') is an important story. Thomson's opening para lays it bare: &quo

Geyzing-based digital media outlet Hamro Khabar Sikkim celebrated its fifth Foundation Day by felicitating eminent journalists and individuals from various fields for their contributions to society. Journalists honoured on the occasion included Puran Tamang, founder of Summit Times; D.R. Dulal, sub editor of Himali Bela; and N.B. Ghimirey, writer and founder of Sikkim Jana Khabar. They were recognised for their long standing and dedicated service to journalism. The organisation also honoured social activist Sanjay Pradhan, Dr Abhimanyu Sharma for his contribution to the health sector, Zilla Panchayat member Sagar Sharma and sportsperson Srijana Subba. The programme, held at the Community Hall in Geyzing, was attended by Narayan Khatiwada, Chairperson of the Rural Development Department, as chief guest. Speaking at the event, founder Rudra Kaushik said the platform was established to fill the gap of a dedicated digital news outlet in West Sikkim and reaffirmed its commitment to tr

A senior newspaper editor was allegedly attacked by unidentified armed men in Imphal East late on February 18. The assailants reportedly opened fire at his vehicle before physically assaulting him. According to India Today NE, Khoirom Loyalakpa, editor of the vernacular daily Naharol Thoudang, was targeted near Hatta cemetery at around 10 pm. The attackers are said to have fired two rounds at his four wheeler and then confronted and beat him at the spot. He was later admitted to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment. His medical condition has not been officially disclosed. A case has been registered at Porompat Police Station.