Veteran journalist Amalendu Kundu, known for his extensive coverage of Sikkim and the Eastern Himalayan region, passed away on July 5 at his residence in Howrah, West Bengal. He was in his eighties and had been battling age-related ailments. Kundu's journalism career spanned over five decades. He began covering Sikkim as a bureau chief in 1977 and went on to become one of India's leading journalists reporting on the state's politics, society, and strategic significance. In recognition of his contribution to journalism, the Government of Sikkim conferred on him the Kashiraj Pradhan Lifetime Journalism Award during the state's 43rd State Day celebrations in 2018.   Image credit: India Blooms

The Patna High Court has once again reminded the media that press freedom comes with responsibility, cautioning against "media trials" while hearing the Rishu Shree case. The court reiterated that while Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech, it is subject to reasonable restrictions, including protecting an individual's reputation and the right to a fair trial under Article 21. The observation comes as the intense coverage of the Ketan Agarwal case has reignited debate over where reporting an investigation ends and public conviction begins. Sanjay Trehan, a digital media advisor, believes news organisations are increasingly blurring the line between public interest and spectacle. "The media has to draw a very fine line between what is genuinely in the public interest and what amounts to an invasion of privacy. That's something journalists need to understand and be mindful of. What worries me is that we're seeing a growing tendency to turn news int

Tuesday, 7 July 2026 #1  ·  Times Nation  ·  Investigative 'Captured On CCTV, 70 Instances Of Theft By 6 Accused Over A Month' — Ram temple ex-trustee Mishra failed to secure donations: SIT By Pathikrit Chakraborty   ·   The Times of India, New Delhi  ·  Page 14 A nine-page preliminary SIT report, a copy of which TOI obtained, details nearly 70 CCTV-captured instances of alleged pilferage of donation money at Ayodhya's Ram temple between April 27 and June 5, 2026, involving six suspects. The report holds senior trust functionary Anil Mishra responsible for failing to enforce security protocols and SOPs jointly issued with SBI, while also flagging lapses by the counting room in-charge and an allegedly unauthorised key custodian who recommended a relative for access to the sensitive counting operation. The SIT, which submitted its report to the additional chief secretary (home) on June 23, has pri

  The Delhi High Court has held that private media houses perform a "public function" and can be taken to a High Court for violating an individual's right to privacy, a finding media lawyers say could widen the avenues through which citizens sue the press. On July 1, a two-judge bench of Justices C Hari Shankar and O P Shukla upheld a 2013 single-judge order directing TV Today Network to pay Rs 5 lakh in compensation. The order concerned a 2005 Aaj Tak broadcast that disclosed details identifying a minor sexual assault victim, including the accused father's name and designation, the family's address and home, and the mother's voice, after the mother had refused on record to engage with the crew. At issue was whether a writ petition under Article 226 could be filed against a private television channel. Such writs have traditionally been available against the State or bodies discharging public duties, leaving private companies outside their reach. Dra

Aaj Tak has introduced Vertical TV, billed as India’s first vertical live news platform, built for mobile viewing. The channel became the first Hindi broadcaster to deliver a real‑time vertical television experience at scale. Powered by a proprietary system, the platform automatically reframes horizontal broadcasts into vertical format, ensuring anchors, graphics and breaking news remain clear on smartphone screens. It allows multiple content layers to appear seamlessly on a single vertical feed without compromising editorial quality. Available on the Aaj Tak app and YouTube, the format is designed around natural mobile viewing behaviour. Kalli Purie, Vice Chairperson and Group Editor‑in‑Chief of the India Today Group, said the launch combines technology with audience insights to create a future‑ready format for mobile news consumption.

The Sports Journalists Association of Nagpur (SJAN) marked World Sports Journalists Day on July 2 by distributing volleyball equipment to players of Vivekananda Nagar Hindi Primary School. Senior volleyball coach Sunil Hande and Sandhya Bhagat from the school attended the event. Hande pledged his commitment to training the players and building a strong team. The association also felicitated children of SJAN members who excelled in the Class 10 and Class 12 examinations, including Gargi Kunte, Samruddhi Ramteke, and Devang Singh. The programme began with a tribute to veteran journalist T.B. Golhar and was attended by SJAN members and their families.

Senior journalist Rajagopal has finally received his renewed passport after a wait of more than 100 days, a delay that drew widespread support and outcry from the media fraternity. His renewal had reportedly been stalled after the Kolkata Police submitted an adverse report, citing the deletion of his name from the voters’ list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Sharing the update in a message circulated by journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta on X on July 4, Rajagopal expressed gratitude: “I received my renewed passport a few hours ago,” he wrote, thanking colleagues and friends for amplifying the issue. However, Rajagopal stressed that the larger policy question remains unresolved. He pointed out that neither the Central Government nor the West Bengal Government has clarified whether data collected under the SIR can be used to restrict access to public services such as passport renewal. Asked if he felt victorious, Rajagopal replied: “I continue to feel as despond