The cable television industry is preparing to meet with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to press for the swift implementation of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, amid long-standing regulatory concerns, according to Storyboard18. Industry stakeholders are urging the Ministry to expedite the bill’s rollout, citing unresolved issues such as rising channel prices, forced bundling, regulatory gaps between linear and OTT platforms, and the unchecked growth of FAST channels. A senior executive said, “Several key challenges continue to strain the cable TV industry and require urgent attention — escalating channel prices, forced bundling, reduced consumer choice, regulatory imbalances with OTT platforms, and misuse of loopholes by FAST channels. Also, encryption of DD Free Dish is the need of the hour.” The MIB had earlier acknowledged these complexities in an Action Taken Report submitted to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communication

MyDesignation.com has named ITW Playworx Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd as its public relations and communications partner. The agency will lead integrated branding efforts to strengthen the fashion brand’s national presence. As part of the partnership, ITW Playworx will oversee a strategic PR campaign to enhance the brand’s visibility. The broader ITW Universe network will support with outdoor, sports marketing, and cross-platform branding to build a cohesive narrative. “Our journey from Thiruvananthapuram to the national stage has been powered by authenticity, bold creativity, and solid business fundamentals. Teaming up with ITW Playworx is a strategic move to amplify this momentum. Their expertise in media and storytelling will help us cultivate a brand voice that speaks to India’s identity-driven youth as we scale across the country,” said Swaroop Krishnan, co-founder and CEO of MyDesignation. Sidharth Ghosh, CEO of ITW Playworx, added, “MyDesignation is a great e

PR Professionals (PRP) has been awarded the digital media mandate for Bihar State Food & Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (BSFC), the nodal agency responsible for managing one of the largest Public Distribution Systems (PDS) in the country. Through this partnership, PRP will enhance BSFC’s digital outreach, promoting transparency, public engagement and effective governance storytelling. BSFC, under the Government of Bihar, serves over 76 million beneficiaries, distributing essential commodities via 45,000+ Fair Price Shops. Dr Sarvesh Kumar Tiwari, Founder and Managing Director of PR Professionals, commented, “We are honored to partner with Bihar State Food & Civil Supplies Corporation, an institution that plays a critical role in safeguarding food security for millions. Our efforts will focus on amplifying BSFC’s mission and impact through strategic digital outreach, fostering public trust, and showcasing the Corporation’s innovations in governance and service de

Image source: Indian Express, Al Jazeera; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   In one of the most significant blows to the Maoist insurgency in over a decade, top CPI (Maoist) leader and General Secretary Basavaraju was killed alongside 26 others in a 72-hour-long security operation in Chhattisgarh’s dense Abujhmad forest region. Hot off the Press As first reported by The Times of India’s Bharti Jain & Rashmi Drolia, the gun battle began on May 20 and was carried out by elite units including the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force and CRPF's CoBRA commandos. According to senior officials, the encounter is one of the biggest anti-Naxal operations in recent years. The slain included senior Maoist leaders who headed the North Bastar Division, reportedly responsible for several deadly ambushes. However, the spotlight remains firmly on Mallojula Venugopal, aka Basavaraju, the reclusive and strategic mind behind the CPI (Maoist)’s central leadership. Indian Express jour

Journalist Matthew Sainsbury’s, “Less Than Human” essay for the Griffith Review Literary Journal was a topic he’s been interested in for a decade.  Digitally Downloaded’s Sainsbury told Influencing, “It began when I went to Japan and saw art exhibitions that looked at digital peoples’ social and cultural impact and how they are much more present than they were historically.  “I then had this opportunity to pitch this article idea to the Griffith Review, and it’s more timely considering we’re living in the world of AI. From there, it caught the eye of the editors, and they gave it a run. “I think it’s very relevant to how the world is shaping up. It's necessarily something that people have thought or talked about in a profound sense. So I think that conversation is coming, and it's good to be one of the people out there talking about it at this stage.” Sainsbury said the essay delves deep into the concept of how “digital people are becoming more inter

Microsoft ANZ’s Director of Communications, Elizabeth Greene, has announced she’s departing the company at the end of the month, to “take on an exciting new role with one of Australia’s most iconic brands.”  Greene is being tight-lipped about her new role, but says she will reveal all when she begins the new gig Monday week.  She told Influencing, “I’m grateful for the eight incredible years I’ve had leading comms for Microsoft in Australia and New Zealand and for the experiences it has afforded me. The best part about any job is the people you get to work with, and I’ve got to work with some of the best there is.  “I’d like to extend a huge thank you to the Australian IT journalism community for all their support during my time at Microsoft and in previous roles in and around the tech industry. I won’t be going far and look forward to continuing to work with many of you when I start my new gig next month.” Greene said on LinkedIn yesterday, “After

  And in more ABC news this morning, the public broadcaster will soon start broadcasting the ABC NEWS Channel and ABC Entertains in High Definition (HD), providing a better viewing experience for audiences.    From 11 June these channels will no longer be available in Standard Definition. The ABC will continue to broadcast the main ABC TV channel in both SD and HD. The ABC Kids/Family channel will also remain on SD.   All TVs sold since 2014, and many sold since 2008, should be HD (MPEG-4) compatible and set up to receive the full range of HD programming and TV multi-channels that are available in your area. Any  TV that can tune to all the local free-to-air services available in each region supports HD.      For TVs made before 2008, viewing the ABC NEWS Channel and ABC Entertains in HD will require an upgrade.  The most cost-effective way is to install a digital set top box, which can be obtained from most electronics stores, is ea