Image source: Fox News, Tibetan Review and ABC News; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   On the eve of his 90th birthday, the 14th Dalai Lama has reignited global attention with a bold proclamation: the 600-year-old spiritual title will continue after his passing and its successor will be chosen by the Gaden Phodrang Trust, not China.  Hot off the Press Rohit Mullick of The Times of India reported that the Dalai Lama firmly stated, "no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter." The Indian Express' Varinder Bhatia detailed how the Dalai Lama, in a video message to the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference in McLeod Ganj, said that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, which he established in 2015, holds exclusive responsibility for identifying his reincarnation. "It is not necessary that the next Dalai Lama be from Tibet," noted Samdhong Rinpoche, a Trust member, ruling out any geographical or gender-based limitations. Dar Ovais and Rezaul H Laskar, writing in Hindustan Times, repor

After a somewhat underwhelming start, 10 News+ is hoping to reverse the low viewer figures it saw for the program that has replaced the much-loved The Project, in part by bringing on board journalist and ex-host of The Project, Georgie Tunny.  As 10 points out, “well known and loved by Australian audiences as a host on The Project, Georgie quickly became one of the country’s most engaging and versatile broadcasters. Her background spans ABC, Flash, Fox Sports and national radio, covering everything from breaking news to major entertainment events, including interviews with icons Sir Paul McCartney, Tom Cruise, and Formula 1 champions Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.” Tunny’s love of sport has seen her report pitch-side with the Matildas' Lydia Williams, co-host the Two Good Sports podcast, and travel to the US as part of the IVLP Fellowship for leading female sports journalists.  She’s equally comfortable in the thick of a crisis, having anchored the ABC’s rollin

Storyboard18 conducted the Digital Entertainment Summit on June 27, 2025, at The Leela Palace in New Delhi.  Speaking at the summit, Dr L Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, emphasised how India has transitioned from being a consumer of global entertainment to a creative powerhouse, highlighting the nation’s growing influence in global digital entertainment.   Underscoring India’s capabilities in digital storytelling, production, and technological innovation, Murugan highlighted the Indian government’s role in fostering the digital entertainment ecosystem, mentioning support for talent development, infrastructure, and policy initiatives that position India as a key player in the global media landscape.   He also spoke about online gaming’s rapid evolution, with over 500 million players, AVGC-XR, and the role of government-led initiatives like WAVES 2025 and the Indian Institute of Creative Technology in nurtu

Image source: Newslaundry, ET and Internet Freedom; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   The Karnataka Mis-Information and Fake News (Prohibition) Bill, 2025, a sweeping legislation empowering a committee of lawmakers to identify and label content on social media as "fake news" -- a first of its kind state legislation -- appears to be an exercise in curbing free speech in the garb of eradicating fake news. For instance, according to the proposed law, fake news includes content that is “anti-feminism” and “disrespect of Sanatan symbols” and any social media users, if found guilty by the concerned “Authority” for posting fake news on the social media platform shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend up to seven years and fine which may extend up to Rs 10 lakh or with both. That “Authority,” under Section 5 of the Bill, includes the Minister for Kannada and Culture Information and Broadcasting as the ex-officio Chairperson; one member each from the Legislativ

Travel journalism is undergoing a sharp transformation as social media rewires how people explore the world. The rise of influencers, reels and short-form content has reshaped the traditional role of the travel reporter, once grounded in immersive, narrative-led storytelling. Speaking to Influencing India, Aakanksha Rapolu, Feature Writer at 11 Eleven Media, said: “The decline of print media and the rise of social media have reshaped travel journalism. Today, access to the internet is easier than ever, and people prefer fast, visual content over long-form articles.” She added that editors now expect journalists to match influencer speed and reach. “Influencers reach wider audiences faster, often without limitations. They earn more, enjoy creative freedom, and don’t have to stick to editorial guidelines.”  Rapolu believes that deeply researched travel writing is increasingly rare. “In the last five years, influencers have largely replaced travel journalists, moving from

Ideabaaz – Bharat Ka Apna Startup Manch – has teamed up with YAAP Digital as its Integrated Marketing Partner. The platform, co-founded by media entrepreneur Jeet Wagh, gives entrepreneurs from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities a chance to pitch their ideas in any Indian language, without barriers.  YAAP will lead Ideabaaz’s digital strategy, storytelling, and offline marketing to make it a national movement.  Dr. Atul Hegde of YAAP said, “Ideabaaz is a rare and meaningful project, we’re excited to bring it to life.”  Jeet Wagh added, “With YAAP, we hope to inspire dreamers across India. This is about building something iconic.”  Supported by IITM Global, Wizcraft, House of Cheer, Turbostart, and Kuberans, Ideabaaz aims to be more than just a pitch platform, it’s a celebration of real founders and real stories from the heart of India. 

After over 35 years experience in the media industry as both journalist and PR professional, Djuro Sen has seen it all and knows what’s a good PR pitch.  “Do your homework on the journalist,” Sen told Influencing Insider.  “I appreciate the time, work, and pressure a PR person has to deal with expectations and get coverage for a product. “But what it takes to be a good PR person is a lot of work, and understanding what journalists need. You can’t waste a journalist’s time with expectations of coverage.” Sen provided the insights on Insider last Thursday.  “The first thing is ‘show me the product,’ whether it's a picture or a quick video of something you will be selling, and target it towards what my specialities are, which have increased since [Phil Tann, Senior Journalist] joined. “However, that doesn't stop you from saying, ‘Hey, we've got this. What do you think?’ So that’s the way, because while you should gear your approach to a particu