The Press Club of India commemorated journalist Maulvi Muhammad Baqar’s 169th martyrdom anniversary on September 16, highlighting his contributions to field reporting, press freedom and inclusive journalism.  Speakers including Wajahat Habibullah, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Gautam Lahiri and Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty discussed Baqar’s role during the 1857 uprising and connected his legacy with contemporary issues of press freedom, transparency and access to information.  India Tomorrow Chief Editor Syed Khalique Ahmed called for greater recognition of Baqar in journalism curricula and research, describing him as a pioneer of investigative and on-the-ground reporting. The programme was moderated by senior journalist A.U. Asif.  Image credit: India Tomorrow 

The Allahabad High Court issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on journalist Satyam Verma’s habeas corpus petition challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) over his alleged involvement in the Noida workers’ protest.  Verma’s counsel argued that he was in Lucknow when the alleged violence occurred in Noida on April 13, citing CCTV footage and call records. The petition also challenges the authorities’ characterisation of his professional income as “riot funding” and argues that the dispute concerned labour demands rather than a threat to public order.  A bench of Justices Atul Sreedharan and Achal Sachdev sought the state’s response and posted the matter for October 7. Verma has sought quashing of the detention orders, release and compensation.

AI Generated Image  India has no dedicated national law specifically designed to protect journalists from violence and intimidation linked to their work. As journalist organisations renew calls for stronger safeguards, media professionals remain divided over whether India needs a separate Journalist Protection Act or better enforcement of existing laws. The debate has gained fresh attention after the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) called for a state-level Journalist Protection Act modelled on Maharashtra's legislation. Maharashtra has had a specific law addressing violence against media persons and damage or loss to media institutions and their property since 2019. The legislation prohibits violence against media persons, provides penalties and compensation provisions, and contains safeguards against misuse. Elsewhere, journalists depend on constitutional protections, including freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a), alongside the cr

  Payal Mehta, a senior journalist with CNN-News18, passed away in the early hours of Sunday (September 20, 2026) in Mumbai. Mehta, 46, was visiting Mumbai when she developed uneasiness early in the morning. She was rushed to a hospital, where she later passed away. In a post on X, senior journalist Sheela Bhatt said Mehta developed uneasiness during her visit to Mumbai and was taken to a hospital around 2 a.m. "Before any treatment could be administered, her pulse went silent," Bhatt said. Mehta's former colleagues remembered her as a hardworking journalist who was willing to take on different beats and constantly learn. She was among the few journalists whose coverage of the Parliament proceedings was appreciated by leaders cutting across party lines.  Anju Grover, an independent journalist and managing committee member of the Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC), said she knew Mehta from the early days of her journalism career. Mehta had joined Focus TV and was part of Grove

The Journalists’ Union of Sikkim (JUS) held a meeting of its newly constituted Executive Committee in Gangtok recently, chaired by JUS president Prabin Khaling. The meeting discussed organisational matters, upcoming programmes and plans to strengthen participation among members. The committee decided to honour newspaper publishers in Sikkim in memory of late Kaizer Bahadur Thapa, recognising their contribution to journalism and newspaper publishing in the state. The date and other details will be announced later. The committee also discussed the upcoming Indian Journalists Union (IJU) election and the participation of JUS members. Khaling proposed holding Executive Committee meetings in different districts to improve coordination and encourage wider participation. The proposal was approved. The JUS also decided to publish a journalism-focused article bulletin featuring content in English, Nepali and Hindi. The committee approved new membership applications but decided to keep t

Intergenerational Report warning: productivity or decades of deficits Treasury’s latest Intergenerational Report paints a stark long-run picture: an ageing population and slower growth mean higher debt, persistent deficits and a heavier tax burden unless productivity lifts materially. The political fight is already on, with debate over whether the government’s assumptions (including AI-driven gains) are realistic, and what policy choices—tax, migration and spending—will be needed to protect living standards. Covered by: The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Australian Financial Review, Australian Financial Review, Australian Financial Review, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Australian Financial Review, Australian Financial Review, The Australian. “I’m no fraud”: Albanese’s NYC award meets voter backlash at home Anthony Albanese is defending his decision to accept a “global citizen” award in New York as polling

The ABC’s contact with new National News Director Simon Robinson goes all the way back to February, The Australian’s Media Diary has revealed.  Media Diary’s Steve Jackson wrote yesterday that the ABC reportedly made its initial approach to Robinson on February 26th – three months before then National News Director Justin Stevens announced his departure from the public broadcaster.  Jackson later wrote that a formal interview between the ABC and Robinson took place in London on March 23, before him being offered the job on May 20th – six days before Stevens resignation announcement.  But on the same day (May 26th), Stevens announced his resignation from the  ABC; Robinson accepted the role at the ABC, with it made public two days later on May 28.  It comes as Robinson began the National News Director role at the national broadcaster last week. He’s already being quizzed on potential job cuts for the news division at th