The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has restructured its Central Sector Schemes into four initiatives aimed at streamlining strategic communication, supporting Indian cinema, and strengthening broadcasting infrastructure. Under the Information Sector, the Development Communication & Information Dissemination (DCID) scheme continues as the Ministry’s flagship programme, focusing on multi-platform public awareness campaigns. It uses print, electronic, outdoor, and digital media to disseminate information on government schemes, promote civic participation, and encourage sustainable behaviour, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The scheme is implemented by the Central Bureau of Communication, Press Information Bureau, and the New Media Wing. In the film sector, the Development Communication & Dissemination of Filmic Content (DCDFC) scheme focuses on promoting Indian cinema through film festivals, anti-piracy efforts, and heritage preservation. For bro

Image source: HT, NDTV and Essence of India; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   India and the UK are stitching together a post-Brexit bromance in the form of a Free Trade Agreement that slashes duties, unlocks new markets and boosts access for professionals, from chefs to techies. With whisky, chocolates, and social security savings in the mix, it's a trade tango designed to double bilateral flow and charm small businesses, all while keeping sensitive sectors like farming off the dance floor. The full routine isn’t choreographed yet but the rhythm is unmistakably upbeat. Hot off the Press Sriram Lakshman for The Hindu reported from Chequers that India and the UK have signed a historic Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), hailed by PM Modi as “a plan for shared prosperity.” The pact slashes duties on nearly 99 per cent of Indian exports to the UK and significantly lowers Indian tariffs on British goods like whisky, cars, medical devices and silver over a phased 10-

When guests begin to file into the InnovationAus Awards for Excellence, publisher Corrie McLeod wants them to be, “excited about the fact that they're going to go on a journey and their senses will be stimulated”. “We want people to come in and know that they're going to experience a little bit of the unexpected,” McLeod told Influencing.  This year’s InnovationAus for Excellence are on November 27 at Sydney Town Hall. Entries for all categories have recently closed, with McLeod confirming the awards have “a record number” for this year”.  “We always like to see companies that we haven't heard of before, that’s always great. When you find the finalists and start going through who they are, you realise, 'wow, I didn't know this company existed’. I love that because there's so much depth to the talent in this country. “I've had a few messages from some of the judges who’ve said, “wow, what an honour. What a treat to be judges,’ because they've been e

  Tony Gillies.   Ex-AAP Editor-in-Chief and one of Australia’s most experienced journalists, Tony Gillies, has been appointed publisher of The Australian Conveyancer, where he leads the editorial and commercial teams producing a magazine, website, newsletter, and industry events.  In his time at AAP, Gillies drove the transformation of the leading news operation from a traditional wire service into a cutting-edge, multimedia news agency. Gillies took to LinkedIn this week to announce the new role at TAC and said, “It’s nice to be back”.  He added that since TAC was launched two years ago, "we've made good progress, telling great stories that have moved the needle."  “Our team has gone above and beyond. The future holds significant opportunities, including richer independent news content, podcasts, and events. “Our next chapter begins with a refreshed suite of media products which we'll unveil in the coming months. Having been part of the magazine's developme

    The Australian Financial Review Magazine has marked its 30 year anniversary with a 120-page special edition featuring an exclusive cover story with OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman, an in-depth look at the vision for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and a revealing feature on Monica Lewinsky on how the world has changed since she worked in the Oval Office 30 years ago.   “When AFR Magazine launched in 1995, it effectively created a new format for insert magazines in Australia, utilising the highest quality paper and bigger, more luxurious pages,” said AFR Magazine editor Matthew Drummond.    “After three decades of sitting down with prime ministers, blue-chip corporate leaders, creative trailblazers and the entrepreneurs of sport, it’s still in a league of its own. It’s the home of the Rich List, the Young Rich List and the Power list. AFR Magazine enjoys great support from advertisers, and its articles are among the most-read stories on afr

Beefgate anybody? Sometimes, when playing chess, a move can look and feel absolutely brilliant as you place your piece upon the square, only for it to look and feel absolutely disastrous the exact moment your fingers release it. So, too, perhaps with Beefgate. What seemed yesterday to be a juicy piece of political timing by the Albanese government – the simultaneous removal of biosecurity restrictions on imported US beef and with it the key reason given by Trump for imposing damaging tariffs - has been chewed over and digested by Australian beef producers and declared bulldust. And the Australian media agrees. Not only was this a loud wet step in a geopolitical cowpat, bringing cheer to our Tarriff Tormentor and threatening local producers’ livelihoods, it’s also, apparently, just the thin end of a meaty mad cow wedge. Going full BBQ To wit, The Courier-Mail (“Bio backflip shocks cattle industry: T-boned by Albo). Clare Armstrong, Chris Burns and Chris Herde threw the w

Veteran film and theatre critic, writer, and cultural journalist Ajit Rai passed away in his sleep in London at the age of 57.   Born on October 01, 1967, Rai held a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and Psychology, along with diplomas in Educational-Psychological Guidance and Counselling and Hindi Journalism. With a career spanning over 35 years, Rai contributed to leading national and international newspapers, journals, and electronic media. He was regular at major global events like the Cannes Film Festival and local initiatives like the Raipur Film Festival. He has been associated with the National School of Drama in various roles. He has been nominated several times in the Selection Committee of the International Film Festival of India in Goa.   He worked as an editor of Rang Prasang, an international journal of the National School of Drama, New Delhi and as a founder editor of Drishyantar, a monthly magazine of Doordarshan. He was also associ