Israeli reporter faints during live broadcast from Dubai

Dubai: An Israeli reporter fainted on-air Sunday in Dubai, where he was dispatched following the UAE’s striking of a normalization deal with the Jewish state.

With temperatures tapping out at 97° F, Channel 13’s Doron Herman appeared to have suffered from heat exhaustion. The network’s presenter Hila Korach sought to cut to Herman during a segment of the nightly broadcast, when the Dubai-dispatched correspondent was not responding. As she speculated with another reporter on screen how the long distance may have been impacting reception, Herman slowly lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground.

Channel 12 on Monday interviewed Herman’s mother, who said she panicked upon viewing the segment, and thought her son had been “stabbed.” When she received the video on WhatsApp, “I went to throw up,” she said.


Herman later published a video on his Facebook page, downplaying what had happened and assuring those worried- including his mother- that he was doing fine, before going on to claim that temperatures in the UAE were over 50° Celsius (122 F°). Later, on the nightly news, Herman explained that “the heat is unbearable… I’ve learned my lesson. Today, I’ve been drinking all day.”

Several Israeli networks have sent reporters to the UAE following last week’s normalization deal announcement. But since the deal has not yet been finalized, those journalists appear to be given entry thanks to other foreign passports that they carry.

Journalist Vikram Joshi murder case: Ghaziabad Police file 2000 page chargesheet against 10 suspects

Ghaziabad, UP: The State Police have filed a 2,000-page chargesheet against 10 suspects in the murder of journalist Vikram Joshi. The police have also charge-sheeted three of the 10 suspects who were named in another case related to the harassment of Joshi’s niece.

“We have filed a charge sheet in connection with the murder case against 10 suspects, all of whom were nabbed. We have also initiated action against them under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act. A charge sheet is also filed against three suspects in connection with the case of harassment of his niece. Both the charge sheets have been sent to the appropriate court,” said Kalanidhi Naithani, senior superintendent of police, Ghaziabad.

On the night of July 20, 35-year-old Joshi, who was on a motorcycle with his two minor daughters, was cornered by a group of men and one of them allegedly shot him in head. Joshi had succumbed to head injuries on July 21.


It is alleged that the incident resulted from a fight between Joshi’s family and the group of suspects on July 16 over the harassment of Joshi’s niece. The family alleged that the police did not lodge Joshi’s complaint in which he had accused the suspects of harassing his niece. An FIR on this complaint was registered under IPC sections 354 (outraging modesty of woman), 323 (causing hurt) and 504 (intentional insult) at Vijay Nagar police station only the day after Joshi was shot.

The two cases were later transferred from Vijay Nagar police station to Kotwali police station. The 10 suspects arrested in connection with the murder case have been identified as Ravi Kumar, Akash Bihari, Shahnoor alias Chotu (who goes by a single name and is the man who allegedly fired at Joshi), Mohit Kumar, Dalvir Singh, Akash Nath, Yogendra Singh, Abhishek Kant, Abhishek Mota and Mohammad Shakir.

Three suspects – Ravi Kumar, Akash Bihari and Shahnoor alias Chotu – are further chargesheeted in the second case related to harassment of Joshi’s niece, the police said. The SSP had suspended the local police post in-charge for not filing family’s complaint on July 16, and two days later also suspended the SHO of Vijay Nagar police station on account of lax supervision.

Senior PTI Journalist PV Ramanujam Found Dead In Ranchi at his residence, Suspicion of suicide

Ranchi, Jharkhand, India: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Union minister Arjun Munda were among others who condoled the untimely demise of the senior journalist PV Ramanujam. 

Press Trust of India's Ranchi bureau chief Ramanujam was found dead on Thursday at his office-cum-residence Ranchi. Mr Ramanujam, 55, is survived by his wife and a son. Mr Ramanujam served at PTI in various capacities for 35 years in Cuttack, Delhi and Ranchi. The police is investigating the circumstances leading to his death. Talking with the family revealed that he was under stress for four-five days. According to family sources, Mr Ramanujam's funeral will be held on Friday in Ranchi. 

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Union minister Arjun Munda were among others who condoled the untimely demise of the senior journalist. "The untimely demise of PV Ramanujam is a great loss to the field of journalism," Mr Soren said in a tweet.

मुख्यमंत्री श्री @HemantSorenJMM ने @PTI_News के ब्यूरोचीफ पीवी रामानुजम के पार्थिव शरीर पर पुष्प अर्पित कर श्रद्धांजलि दी। मुख्यमंत्री ने कहा यह पीड़ादायक है। पीवी रामानुजम की पत्रकारिता के क्षेत्र में अलग पहचान थी। ईश्वर उनकी आत्मा को शांति प्रदान करें। pic.twitter.com/bQKWi7jnO4

— Office of Chief Minister, Jharkhand (@JharkhandCMO) August 14, 2020

"His long experience in journalism used to guide and inspire mediapersons," the chief minister said. Mr Ramanujam's colleagues at PTI mourned his death and remembered him as a selfless and soft-spoken person who was always willing to help others. Ranchi Press Club has also mourned his death.

Prestigious MPI-Petronas Malaysian Journalism Awards to be held next month

THE MPI-Petronas Malaysian Journalism Awards will take place on Sept 11 after it was postponed in April due to the movement control order (MCO).

The prestigious annual award that began in 1981 sees media practitioners in the country vie for the coveted Kajai award which offers a RM30,000 cash prize. Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Chamil Wariya said the institute received 522 submissions when deadline closed on Jan 14. “A total of 306 participants from 32 media companies, including print, broadcast and news portal, took part,” he said, adding that this was an increase from last year’s 268 participants.

Sixteen categories are available, including the new “Best Multimedia Reporting” which replaced the “Best News Portal Reporting” category introduced in 2015.The winner of each category will walk away with a RM10,000 cash prize. “The ‘Best Photo’ category received the highest number of participants at 50 while the ‘Best Editorial Cartoon’ received only four, which was the lowest,” said Chamil at a cheque presentation ceremony with corporate sponsors of the awards.


Also present was Star Media Group Bhd executive content officer Brian Martin who received a RM7,500 mock cheque on behalf of MPI from Public Bank marketing communications department public affairs division manager Mirhani Cecilia Abdul Rahman Heinrich.

Chamil thanked the 27 corporate bodies and governmental agencies for their combined contributions worth RM335,000. “The contributions are in the form of table booking, cash and door gifts for the attendees of the award presentation on Sept 11.

“This contribution amount is not inclusive of the RM300,000 cash sponsorship from Petronas, which will be given to award winners,” he said, adding that Petronas had sponsored the event since 1994. Chamil reminded attendees of the Sept 11 award to comply with the MCO standard operating procedures.

“Mask-wearing is compulsory and everyone must have their temperature taken prior to entry, in addition to observing a. minimum of one-metre physical distancing. “Until a vaccine is found, this is the new norm that we all must adhere to,” he said. Courtesy: thestar.

Independence Day of India : How Indian newspapers reported on 15 August 1947

New Delhi: The significance of the occasion was not lost on newspapers that captured the events using memorable headlines and photographs as journalists quickly wrote the first draft of history in August 1947. India’s Independence Day was a historic occasion not just because hundreds of millions of Indians were getting their freedom after centuries of British rule but also because it gave a lot of hope to countries in Asia and Africa they were still suffering under colonial European oppression.

The enormity of the occasion was not lost on newspapers that captured the events unfolding before them using memorable headlines and photographs as reporters quickly wrote the first draft of history. While independence was an obvious occasion of joy and hope, the press was also mindful of the fact that millions of people had been rendered homeless in the Partition.  

The reporters and editors working for the newspapers at the time must have surely hoped that after August 15, freedom of press would become an integral feature of the newly independent nation whose leaders had pledged to follow a democratic system of government.

Here’s a look at how some of the English language newspapers reported the events of mid-August, 73 years ago.

The Times of India, the country’s leading English daily, had a banner headline running across the front page, proclaiming: “BIRTH OF INDIA’S FREEDOM”. The stories on the front page describe scenes of jubilation and celebration in Delhi and Bombay, and substantial coverage is also given to Pakistan, which had celebrated its independence day on August 14.

The Hindustan Times ran with a two-deck headline, saying “INDIA INDEPENDENT: BRITISH RULE ENDS”. On the paper’s masthead, there’s a private appeal to help refugees, indicating how Delhi was turning into a shelter for Punjabis fleeing the violence in Pakistan.

The front page of the Statesman bubbles with the heady enthusiasm of independence. Anandabazar Patrika seems to be in awe of the fact that the unrest in Calcutta has quietened on the occasion of Independence Day. In the Pioneer, the celebrations have given way to a more sober look at the challenges facing the nation. Courtesy: timesnownews.

"Do you regret all your lies?" India born American journalist bluntly asks US President Donald Trump

Washington DC: SV Dáte, A Pune-born Indian-American  journalist bluntly asked the US President Donald Trump at a briefing Thursday if he regrets "all of the lying" he has done "to the American people" over the last three and a half years.

Shirish Date, the White House correspondent for Huffington Post, asked Trump at a press conference on Thursday: "Mr. President, after three and a half years do you regret at all, all the lying you've done to the American people?" Hover over the keyword to read more about the topic without leaving this page! Soon after the question was shot by the reporter, a visibly uncomfortable Trump asked him to repeat the query. Date followed up with "All the lying, all the dishonesty... You have done." Trump thereafter quietly moved on to another question from another reporter.

This incident is not something new as Trump has been involved in heated exchanges with the reporters during several press conferences during his tenure. Meanwhile, Trump yesterday said that he intended to deliver his Republican nomination acceptance speech from the White House, according to a media report. Trump, 75, is seeking re-election from the Republican party.

Having won the GOP primaries with historic margins, he will formally be nominated by the party through its virtual convention later this month. The convention was initially scheduled to be held in Charlotte in North Carolina but was later moved to Jacksonville in Florida, only to be cancelled again because of rising cases of the novel coronavirus.

The Washington Post fact-checker finds that Trump has made over 20,000 false or misleading claims throughout his presidency. Trump, who has rarely been confronted directly with claims that he has lied, paused for a moment before moving on to another reporter without answering the question.

Trump ignores reporter who asked if he regrets 'all the lying'

Washington, DC: U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday ignored a question by a reporter during a White House briefing who asked if he regretted all the lying he has done while in office.

"Mr. President, after three and a half years, do you regret at all, all the lying you've done to the American people?" asked Shirish Date, Huffington Post's White House correspondent, who later tweeted that he had waited for five years to ask him that question. Trump paused for a moment before he quickly moved on to take a question from another reporter, ignoring Date who looked on.

The president, who is running for re-election on Nov. 3, has long sparred with the media, blasting coverage of him as "fake news" and "hoaxes," and slamming news outlets and journalists on his Twitter feed. His re-election campaign also recently filed lawsuits against several outlets, including the New York Times and the Washington Post.

Press Freedom: Don't Collaborate in the Politics of Distraction, US, UK and Israeli Democracies Paralyzed by Delusion

Freedom of the press is one of the most important principles of any democratic society. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of expression and freedom of the press, and the United Nations marks May 3 as World Press Freedom Day. In Israel, the Supreme Court has created a series of protections for journalists and the media.

But in recent years, and especially over the last three months, Israel’s democracy has been under assault by government officials and corrupt politicians. There are two aspects to freedom of the press – enabling journalists to criticize the government and protecting their sources. Journalistic freedom is undermined every day when the media is attacked by the prime minister, members of his family and their supporters. And now, protection of their sources is also being put to the test.


A few days ago, the police’s Lahav 433 unit arrested independent journalist Lior Kopelevitz, better known as Eishton. He runs an independent blog where he publishes investigative reports. He was arrested on suspicion of harassing the Finance Ministry’s former accountant general, Michal Abadi-Boiangiu, who gave information to the police when it was investigating corruption in Israel’s purchase of submarines.

According to police, Eishton went to her home, presented himself as a Mossad operative and asked her questions about the matter. After she filed a complaint, Kopelevitz and his life partner were arrested. They were released subject to restrictions after being questioned.


But police investigators didn’t make do with that. They also confiscated computers and documents from his Tel Aviv home. Eishton is investigating the connection between the submarines case and the plan the government approved for Israel’s natural gas fields. During this investigation, he collected documents and spoke with people involved in both events. Thus the police’s decision to confiscate and read these documents grossly violated the journalistic privilege that he and his source enjoy.

The next day, the Rishon Letzion Magistrate’s Court rejected Eishton’s request that the documents and computers be returned to him. “A journalist has immunity regarding his sources, but he has no immunity to commit crimes,” Judge Einat Ron wrote.


When police confiscate a journalist’s documents, the media’s ability to do its job properly is dealt a mortal blow. Who would want to serve as a source if confidentiality isn’t guaranteed and can easily be violated? 

The confidentiality of journalistic sources can be violated only when there’s no other choice and when a serious crime like murder, rape or espionage is being investigated. That isn’t the case with Eishton. The attorney general must order the police to release the material they confiscated from him. And the court has an obligation to protect freedom of the press as well. Courtesy: The above article is Haaretz’s lead editorial, as published in the Hebrew and English newspapers in Israel.

London-born journalist made history, becoming the first hijab-wearing TV reporter in Scotland

Scotland: In the UK, On July 16, just days before the London-born journalist Tasnim Nazeer turned 34, she made history, becoming the first hijab-wearing TV reporter in Scotland, after moving to Glasgow with her husband five years ago.

As a broadcast journalist for STV news, she broke barriers and has since used her success as a platform for promoting better diversity and inclusion in the media. Nazeer, from a family with Sri Lankan heritage, was only 15 when she reported on those worst-hit by the tsunami in 2004 for NewsLanka, a UK-based paper covering the South Asian country. 

After building her portfolio writing for several community papers, including Muslim News, she went on to work freelance radio shifts for BBC Radio 2. She later moved on to working as a television guest panellist on BBC Scotland and has written for news organisations including The Guardian, Forbes and The Independent, focusing on humanitarian issues and social justice.

Really pleased to have done my first TV report as a freelance journo for @STVNews at Six highlighting the need for more bereavement support in Scotland. I don’t think a woman in hijab has ever anchored a news report in Scotland before. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/7hxqfniTEk

— Tasnim Nazeer (@TasnimNazeer1) July 30, 2020

Despite all her journalistic experience, it was still difficult for her to land a broadcast role. Several in the industry said she didn’t “have the right look” for television. “People who networked with me in the media industry who would say, 'Look, you've got all the skills and all the potential, but unfortunately you just don't quite have the right look with the hijab on in Scotland’,” she told The National.

“You don't really see black or Asian or other people of colour on Scottish TV, let alone people with the scarf. Then I was told that it really kind of hit home as to how am I going to get past this glass ceiling that's been imposed on me. If I've got the skills, then what's the problem?” Although she could have progressed if she compromised her beliefs and identity, she refused to conform.

“My hijab is something I would never compromise. I’ve always had these morals and values and I wear the hijab out of my obedience to God and commitment to my faith. I felt like it wasn’t right for somebody to ask me to remove that because it would hinder my ability to do the job.”

Congratulations to @TasnimNazeer1 thought to be the first hijabi reporter on Scottish TV @Daily_Record via Hassan Rabbani pic.twitter.com/Vf5mxIlKK3

— EverydayMuslim (@Everyday_Muslim) August 4, 2020

She finally landed her first broadcast journalist role at STV in May this year. Despite initial concerns that she would not be able to move up the ladder, Nazeer said the channel was very supportive and did not once judge her on her identity. Those facing challenges breaking into any industry because of their faith, race or culture, are often too afraid to speak out in case they are reprimanded or it scuppers their job prospects. “Those people don't even know who to turn to for support,” Nazeer said.

“So when they had seen that I'd spoken out and seen challenges, I was inundated with messages with people saying 'this has happened to us', ‘we are still in a glass ceiling’, all those kinds of things.” Although she was worried about negative reaction to her TV broadcasting debut, Nazeer has mostly received support. Since then, MPs, journalists and celebrities such as Lorraine presenter Ria Hebden have all come to the table to call for more media diversity.

But the fight to break the glass ceiling continues. Nazeer hopes to continue to do live broadcasting and is campaigning for more diversity in the British media. “I’m really hoping to work with individuals within the media to highlight ways in which we can achieve better representation in actionable measures. It's all very well to have funding and investment in diversity and inclusion but if there're no actionable steps, we won’t see it reflected on screen.” Courtsey: thenational

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai and activist Agnes Chow released on bail

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily owner Jimmy Lai was released on bail shortly after midnight on Wednesday, nearly two days after being arrested under Bejing's new national security law.

Lai was mobbed by a large crowd of media and a throng of supporters outside the Mong Kok police station who chanted "support Apple Daily until the end" in Cantonese. Lai did not speak with media after being released from police custody and was quickly driven away from the scene. Apple Daily readers had queued from the early hours of Tuesday to get copies of the newspaper, a day after police raided its offices and took Lai into detention, the highest-profile arrest under the national law.

Mainland-born Lai, who was smuggled into Hong Kong on a fishing boat when he was a penniless 12-year-old, is one of the most prominent democracy activists in the city and an ardent critic of Communist Party rule in Beijing. Meanwhile in Hong Kon's Tai Po district, young politcal activist Agnes Chow was also realsed on bail just before midnight.

Chow spoke outside the precint saying her arrest was a "political persecution,"and accused the regime of using the national security law to "suppress political dissidents." The security law punishes anything China considers subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison. Critics say it crushes freedoms, while supporters say it will bring stability after prolonged anti-China, pro-democracy protests last year.

Hong Kong activist said national security law is used for political repression

Hong Kong activist Agnes Chow said on Tuesday that the state's new national security law has been used for political repression after she was released on bail following her arrest.

The 23-year-old activist spoke in Japanese to the media outside a police station and showed her bail document. She was accompanied by fellow activist Joshua Wong. Chow was arrested on Monday along with 9 other people, including the owner of Hong Kong's Apple Daily tabloid, Jimmy Lai. Chow also said her fourth arrest was the scariest but that nonetheless she would continue to fight from Hong Kong's democracy. "In the last 24 hours, I haven't heard the reason and how I violated the national security law or participated in an event against the law," she added.

The activist was one of the former leaders of young activist Joshua Wong's Demosisto pro-democracy group, which disbanded before the new law came into force. The sweeping security law imposed on June 30 punishes anything China considers secession, subversion, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.

The city's Beijing-backed government and Chinese authorities say the law is necessary to restore order after months of at times violent anti-government protests last year, sparked by fears China was slowly eroding those freedoms.

Hong Kong has since become another source of contention between the United States and China, whose relations were already at their most strained in years over issues including trade, the coronavirus, China's treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority and its claims in the South China Sea.

Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Arrested on suspicion of breaching national security law

Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and six others were arrested Monday morning on suspicion of breaching the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, according to Hong Kong police and local media.

At least seven suspects aged from 39 to 72 were arrested on suspicion of collusion with foreign forces and conspiracy to commit fraud and sedition, said the Hong Kong Police Force.

Hong Kong media said Jimmy Lai, an instigator of Hong Kong riots, was among those arrested.

This is the third time for Lai to be arrested by the Hong Kong police. On Feb. 28, Lai, together with other two, were arrested for violating Hong Kong's Public Order Ordinance by participating in an unauthorized assembly between Wan Chai area and Central area on Aug. 31, 2019, thus were jointly charged with the count of "knowingly participating in unauthorized assembly."

In addition, Lai, also suspected of violating Hong Kong's Crimes Ordinance by verbally intimidating a man during an assembly on June 4, 2017 in the Eastern District on Hong Kong Island, was charged with the count of "criminal intimidation."

For the case of criminal intimidation, the court granted Lai bail pending trial. He was prohibited from leaving Hong Kong and was required to report to the police station every week. He was also arrested on April 18 along side with 14 others for violating the Public Order Ordinance by organizing and taking part in the unauthorized assemblies last year.

US President Trump walks out of his press conference after reporter presses him on his false claim

Bedminster: US President Donald Trump has abruptly walked out of a press conference after a reporter fact-checked him on his dubious claim about signing a 'Veteran's Choice' bill.

Trump, speaking at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club, had claimed again that he is the one who got the Veterans Choice program passed- adding, "They've been trying to get that passed for decades and decades and decades and no president's ever been able to do it, and we got it done." In fact, former President Barack Obama signed the Choice program into law in 2014. The law, which allowed eligible veterans to be covered by the government for care provided by doctors outside the VA system, was a bipartisan initiative spearheaded by two senators Trump has repeatedly criticized, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and the late John McCain of Arizona.

What Trump signed was a 2018 law, the VA MISSION Act, that modified and expanded the eligibility criteria from the Choice program. Rather than tout that bill, Trump has claimed over and over that he created Veterans Choice itself -- after others had failed for "50 years."

"Why do you keep saying that you passed Veterans Choice?" CBS News White House correspondent Paula Reid asked Trump at the Saturday news conference, during which Trump announced executive actions on coronavirus relief. As Trump tried to call on another reporter instead, Reid continued, "You said that you passed Veterans Choice. It was passed in 2014...it was a false statement, sir."

Trump paused, then responded: "OK. Thank you very much, everybody." He then walked away as the song "YMCA" played. Trump had either never or almost never been challenged on the Veterans Choice claim before Reid did so.

Meghalaya: Shillong Press Club and the journalist Union condemn the behaviour of OSD to CM

Shillong: The Shillong Press Club and the Journalist Union of Meghalaya expressed their collective shock, pain and anger at the repugnant language and unbecoming conduct of Mr Daniel Thangkhiew, a contractual Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister of Meghalaya. Conrad Sangma.

Thangkhiew allegedly called senior reporter of The Shillong Times (ST), Afaque Hussain cheap and verbally abused him in a telephonic conversation. Afaque had called to enquire about an accident at Malki Point at 11:30 pm on Wednesday. Afaque reached out to Thangkhiew as VVIPs were reportedly involved in the accident. The Shillong Press Club President issued a statement on Friday condemning his behaviour.

PC president, David Laitphang said, “Mr Hussain was simply discharging his professional duties in the public interest, for which he was verbally attacked most viciously by Mr Thangkhiew, as required by his organization and this led him to make the phone call to enquire and confirm the series of events, which has been made all the more difficult as the state police have practically swept the accident involving the brand-new, unregistered high-end SUV under the carpet while now claiming that the matter was resolved in a short amount of time between the driver/owner of the vehicle and the shop owner.”

The statement further adds, “If no VVIP was involved, then why should the police be in such a hurry to settle matters, when it occurred at midnight well after the promulgation of curfew? The fact that it occurred after midnight did not stop Mr Thangkhiew from reportedly rushing to the scene even though he became agitated and then repeatedly berated Mr Hussain for calling him at 11:30 pm.” 

In the case of the accident it is alleged that neither an FIR nor even a GD entry was made and the vehicle responsible for the crash was taken away. "The Shillong Press Club extends its solidarity to Afaque Hussain and wishes him Godspeed in his mission to serve the people while reiterating its strong condemnation to any force that tries to berate and coerce free speech and factual reporting,” reads the SPC statement.

India Today Group shutting down of English tabloid 'Mail Today' print edition, turns digital

New Delhi: The crisis continues in newspapers during the Corona period. India Today Group is also facing crisis. The group announced that its English language tabloid Mail Today will suspend its print publication with effect from 10 August 2020. The reason stated is that the print segment has been hit due to the pandemic but the content shall continue to be publish in the online format.

Informing employees about the decision, Aroon Purie, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of the India Today Group in an internal mail said, "As you all know, the Group entered the newspaper space 13 years ago with great hope. We collaborated with one of the most successful newspaper publishers in the world- the Daily Mail Group of the UK. The idea was to produce a newspaper that was different from the broadsheets in the market. Not only did we bring it out in a more handy format, but we also carried hard-hitting reports, bold headlines, a dazzling mix of stories and a powerful visual display. ​It had colourful special sections on different days of the week and a very vibrant sports section. Many of our stories were followed by the legacy newspapers, the paper was often waved in Parliament demanding probes based on our stories and quoted frequently on TV news."


"I am very happy to say that, over the years, we realised our vision. It wasn’t easy. A lot of sweat and hard work, not to mention crores of investment, went into making it an exciting daily. The newspaper carved a niche for itself in the minds and hearts of many readers, particularly the young."

"During these years, we weathered the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 and the demonetisation shock to the economy in 2016. Unfortunately, the pandemic has drastically changed reader preferences. Daily and rigorous news consumption on devices during the lockdown makes it clear that the newspaper print medium will not resurrect. ​There is, therefore, little prospect of making Mail Today in print a viable publication. It is with deep regret that I announce the suspension of the print edition--the last print edition in its current form will be published on Sunday, August 9. ​​ I will miss holding a ​copy of Mail Today every morning as I am sure will many of our readers. "


"That said, we will be rebooting Mail Today in a digital avatar to meet the challenges of the future," he added. Dwaipayan Bose, Editor, Mail Today, will be moving to take charge of Indiatoday.in. He will report to Vice Chairperson Kalli Purie.

Several other editorial team members are being evaluated for various digital, social media and TV verticals in the Group. Regrettably, other colleagues will move on to opportunities outside the India Today Group and I wish them well. Trained in the ITG ecosystem, I know their talent will be in high demand. Our HR department will be in touch on the next steps.

Zimbabwe Accused of Stiffling Press Freedom as Journalist Denied Bail Again

Harare, Zimbabwe: Rights groups in Zimbabwe have denounced the High Court denying bail to journalist Hopewell Chin'ono, who is facing charges of stoking violence in advance of planned anti-government protests.

Security forces thwarted the July 31 protests against corruption and poverty, arresting Chin’ono and an opposition leader.  South Africa is sending envoys to Zimbabwe to investigate reports of escalating rights abuses, which the government denies. Supporters of Chin’ono fear his continued detention is a way for authorities to silence critical reporting against corruption. “It’s a clear indication that Zimbabwean authorities are not prepared to have journalists who will expose government corruption and speaking truth to power," Robert Shivambu, Amnesty International’s spokesman in Southern Africa told. 

"The government of Zimbabwe should stop intimidating journalists like Hopewell Chin'ono and allow them to be able to do their job to expose corruption because this is good for the country, in fact, so that law enforcement agencies can be able to follow up what journalists like Hopewell are reporting - not criminalizing for exposing that.”

Zimbabwe’s High Court Thursday afternoon ruled against Chin’ono’s appeal for bail. He’s been detained for three weeks on charges of stoking violence ahead of a planned protest last week that security forces stopped before it could begin. Chin’ono is an outspoken critic of corruption, which the protest was to be against – along with the government’s handling of Zimbabwe’s imploding economy.  

Speaking to reporters after Chin’ono was denied bail, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights’ Beatrice Mtetwa said it was clear that authorities want to silence critical voices. “I think everybody knows what happens in Zimbabwe: those who say they are fighting for corruption are walking in the streets with their corrupt loot in the pocket and those saying you should be seen to be fighting corruption are getting more and more persecuted," she said.

Opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume was arrested on the same charges as Chin’ono and also remains in prison. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe authorities have released a “wanted list” of activists, and more than a dozen have gone into hiding. Government spokesman Nick Mangwana rejected the idea that authorities are targeting activists or journalists.  

“There is a journalist who happens to be an activist, whose actions may cross the boundaries of the law.  They are not immune from prosecution, if they do that," he said.  "If they incite and there is a law against incitement, the fact that they are a journalist does not give them immunity from that prosecution.  That’s the difference.  So, every other journalist who goes doing their business there is no problem.  There is even no problem being an activist itself.  But within the contest of breaking the law, the law will take its course.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the current chairperson of the Africa Union, has appointed special envoys to Zimbabwe to investigate the accusations. Head of Human Rights Watch in Southern Africa Dewa Mavhinga says more is needed.

“We are calling for the Southern African Development Community and the African Union to urgently speak out on the abuses in Zimbabwe and urge President Mnangagwa to end repression and to promote human rights respect.  Human rights in Zimbabwe should be guaranteed and should be respected," Mavhinga said.

Critics accuse Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa of ruling the country with an iron fist, much like former President Robert Mugabe. After Mugabe was removed in a 2017 coup, Mnangagwa vowed Zimbabwe would no longer be the dictatorship of his predecessor. (courtesy-voanews)

No relief to INX Media Co-Founder Indrani Mukerjea, special CBI Court rejects bail plea

Indrani Mukerjea with Peter 

Mumbai: A special CBI court here rejected the bail plea of Indrani Mukerjea, the prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, noting that the possibility of the accused influencing prosecution witnesses cannot be ruled out.

After failing to secure bail multiple times on medical grounds, Mukerjea in December last year filed another plea, seeking bail on "merits" of the case. Special CBI court judge J C Jagdale rejected the plea on Wednesday. The court observed thatsome important case witnesses like Rahul Mukerjea, son of accused Peter Mukerjea, and Vidhi, daughter of Indrani Mukerjea and her former husband and co- accused Sanjeev Khanna, were yet to be examined.

"There is no doubt that the accused is an influential and wealthyperson. Therefore, the possibility of influencing prosecution witnesses cannot be ruled out," the judge said. While arguing for bail, Indrani Mukerjea told court that the prosecution's case was "false and baseless" and she had nearly 120 documents to prove it.

She submitted that there is no scientific evidence to prove that the crime happened. She pointed out inconsistencies in the evidence put forth by the prosecution to prove her role as a conspirator and one of the killers of her daughter Sheena Bora. She also raised doubt about the "credibility and legality" of the probe.

Indrani Mukerjea claimed there are numerous contradictions in the testimonies of prosecution witnesses, including accused-turned-approver Shayamwar Rai. "They have either contradicted their own statements, or the statements of other witnesses, or the prosecutions story itself," she had submitted. However, the judge in his order observed that in the middle of trial, the court cannot declare that the part evidence is either wholly reliable, or partly reliable, or totally unreliable.

"At the present juncture, the courtcannot conclude that the evidence led by Shyamvar Rai (approver) has falsified or suffered from fatal infirmities due to cross-examination of the said witness," the court noted. The judge further observed that at this stage, the trial court cannot pass a final conclusion about the evidentiary value of the witnesses.

"In my opinion, the accused and the advocate concerned should co-operate with the trial court to finish the said trial," the judge added. Indrani Mukerjea is currently lodged at the Byculla women's jail in Mumbai. Last month, the court rejected her another bail plea, citing the risk of contracting coronavirus in the wake of the disease outbreak in the jail.

Sheena Bora (24) was allegedly strangled in a car by Indrani Mukerjea, her then driver Shyamvar Rai and Sanjeev Khanna in April 2012. Her body was burnt in a forest in neighbouring Raigad district. Indrani Mukerjea was arrested in August 2015. 

Former media baron Peter Mukerjea was also later arrested for allegedly being part of the conspiracy. He is currently out on bail, which was granted by the Bombay High Court earlier this year. His 17-year-old marriage to Indrani Mukerjea ended during the period of incarceration as the two got divorced in October last year.

Supreme Court of India extends protection to TV anchor from coercive action in defamation cases

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Thursday extended the protection from any coercive action till August 31 to TV news anchor Amish Devgan in connection with the cases lodged over his alleged defamatory remark against Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti during a show telecast on June 15. 

A bench comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari took note of the fact that one of the FIRs against Devgan has been transferred from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh to Noida in Uttar Pradesh. The bench, during the proceedings conducted via video conferencing, said the news anchor, represented by senior lawyer Siddharth Luthra and advocate Mrinal Bharti, will have to now amend his plea accordingly and deferred the hearing to August 31.

Now the UP government will have to file its response to Devgan's plea in which he has sought quashing of the FIRs, stay on the investigation and the protection from any coercive action for his alleged comments against the sufi saint. The bench made clear that the interim relief of protection to Devgan, granted earlier, shall remain operative.

The apex court, while granted interim relief to Devgan, had also stayed the probe in the cases related to the June 15 telecast against the journalist. Five FIRs have been lodged against Devgan in Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Telangana for using a derogatory term for the Sufi saint in the news debate show called Aar Paar' on his channel on June 15.

However, he later tweeted an apology saying that he was actually referring to Muslim ruler Alauddin Khilji and inadvertently ended up naming Chisti. As regards the interim relief, till the next date of hearing, we deem it appropriate to pass ad-interim relief in terms of prayer clause (A) and (B) (which seek stay of investigation in pending and future FIRs and the protection from possible coercive action), the top court had said in its June 26 order.

On July 8, the interim order of June 26 was extended till August 6 and now it will remain in operation till this month end. Issuing notices to Maharashtra, Telangana and Rajasthan, the bench had earlier asked the petitioner to make the complainants, who have lodged FIRs, as parties to his plea.

Two FIRs for the alleged offence have been registered at Ajmer and Kota in Rajasthan and one has been lodged at Bahadurpura in Hyderabad, the plea said, adding that two such FIRs have been lodged at Nanded and Pydhonie in Maharashtra. Devgan said he has already issued a clarification through a tweet and moreover, errors cannot be construed as criminal offences. The journalist has said the plea concerned his life and liberty.

In a well-orchestrated manner - the petitioner has been made a victim of country-wide filing of false and baseless criminal complaint and FIRs on the one hand, and on the other hand, petitioner, his family and his crew has been abused unabashedly on social media and by personal messages by unknown persons. The petitioner has also received several death threats from various anti-social elements, the plea submitted.

It said that Devgan was holding a discussion on a petition filed before the top court on his show on June 15 on the issue of the Places of Worship Special Provisions Act. During the course of the live heated discussion one of the panellists quoted Chisti (Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti) and inadvertently, petitioner (Devgan) who wanted to refer to the historical figure Khilji(Alauddin Khilji) as a marauder, mentioned the name Chisti' , the plea submitted.

That immediately on realising his inadvertent slip of tongue during heated debate in his news debate show petitioner tendered a clarification and clarified that the name Chisti was mentioned by error and inadvertently, it said. Devgan tweeted the clarification on his personal Twitter account on the intervening night of June 16-17 and moreover, the channel carried a video clarification featuring the journalist, the plea said.

One of the FIRs was lodged at Pydhonie police station in Mumbai against Devgan for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by referring to Chisti in derogatory terms in the TV programme on the complaint of Arif Razvi, general secretary of the Raza Academy.