Veteran journalist and former editor of The Statesman, M L Kotru, passed away on September 25, 2025, at his residence in Gurgaon. He was 91. Widely respected for his incisive reporting and editorial leadership, Kotru’s career spanned nearly six decades and included key roles at Sunday Mail, ANI and The Statesman, where he served as diplomatic correspondent for many years. Even after stepping down from full-time roles, Kotru continued contributing to The Statesman until 2013, as well as to publications in Kashmir, his home region. He was a mentor to generations of journalists and one of the oldest members of the Press Club of India, where he also served as Secretary-General. His contributions to journalism were recognised with the prestigious Watumull Award for his evocative series “The Other Side.” Tributes poured in from across the media fraternity. Furquan Moharkan, editor (banking) at MorningContext, described him as “the doyen of journalism” and a guiding light for

iTnews’ Associate Editor, Eleanor Dickinson, will depart the publication for a new unnamed opportunity on October 10, Influencing can reveal.  "I'm leaving iTnews for another opportunity on October 10. I've had an incredible 18 months working with the team, especially Ry Crozier, VB Templeman and Kate Weber. I have learnt so much from my time here. I will miss working on iTnews and with everyone at nextmedia immensely.” Dickinson told Influencing.  "I really want to wholeheartedly thank Macca [Darren McNally] and VB for the opportunity and making me feel so welcome from day one." Dickinson will depart after just 18 months at iTnews, after previously working for ARN as a journalist and Associate Editor between September 2018 and April 2024.  She started her career in the UK as an intern for The Independent and was Comment/Deputy News Editor at The Cambridge Student before moving to The Cambridge News where she worked as a News Reporter between July 2013 and August 2015. 

Image source: Indian Masterminds and The Hindu; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   The defence ministry signed a Rs 62,370 crore ($7 billion) contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for the procurement of indigenous fighter aircraft, marking another massive order for the state-owned aeronautical giant. Hot off the Press The contract for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, including 68 fighters and 29 twin-seat trainers, will take the total number of these fighters in the Indian Air Force (IAF) to 180, adding to an earlier order of 83 that’s already in the process of being delivered, reported Manu Pubby for The Economic Times. The order was cleared by the cabinet committee on security last month and has a higher level of indigenous content than previous versions of the jet. “The project is being supported by a robust vendor base of nearly 105 Indian companies. The production is expected to generate close to 11,750 direct and indirect jobs per year for the duration of six year

The Local and Independent News Association is the main umbrella organisation representing independent and local news outlets across Australia. Here’s their latest roundup of events and takes on what’s happening in local news land.   LINA will host its annual Summit in Murray Bridge, South Australia on March 25-27, 2026. The schedule will be packed with panels, workshops and chats about where the local news media industry is going.  Headline updates from LINA this month include a response to the Senate inquiry into climate and energy mis and disinformation, registrations closing soon for the Sustainable Growth Program and info on Our Watch which is offering free training for digital creators.  Sustainable Growth Program This 10-week program kicks off in October and supports newsrooms to innovate and trial new project concepts. Check out some of the successful ideas previous cohort participants have rolled out - details on LINA’s website here. Applications for an October

Last night, Influencing joined other media and PR professionals at Taurus Marketing's Connect event, as the company celebrated 30 years.  It was one of several events held this year to celebrate the impressive milestone. Held at the Gateway Tower in Circular Quay, the event was an opportunity to network and catch up. Enjoy a selection of the photos we took last night.     

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has once again been named Australia’s most powerful person on The Australian Financial Review Magazine’s Power List, which features no members of the federal opposition for the first time in 25 years.  While five members of Albanese’s government made the Overt Power list, Coalition leader Sussan Ley didn’t make the top 10 in the view of the Power panel. There is no one from the Coalition, Greens, Teals or crossbenchers on any of the three main Power lists; overt, covert and cultural.  “The power of Albanese in 2025 is as close to absolute as is feasible under Australia’s constitution,” said AFR Magazine editor Matthew Drummond. “In the view of several members of the Power panel, he’s the most powerful prime minister since John Howard. That said, there’s a brittleness beneath this power base with Labor’s share of the primary vote at record lows and wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and an unpredictable United States, destabilisin