The 19th Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards ceremony was held on March 19, 2025, in New Delhi, honoring journalists who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to truth and integrity in their reporting. President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards, emphasizing the indispensable role of journalism in sustaining democracy.
President Murmu’s Address:
In her speech, President Murmu highlighted the following key points:
- Tribute to Ramnath Goenka: She honored Goenka’s legacy in defending press freedom, particularly during the Emergency, and acknowledged his association with Mahatma Gandhi and contributions to social causes.
- Emphasis on Ground Reporting and Research: The President urged newsrooms to invest in investigative journalism, stressing that news gathering is the essence of journalism.
- Challenges in Media Funding: She addressed the conflict between profitability and responsible journalism, suggesting that readers should remain the focal point of journalistic endeavors.
- Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Deepfakes: President Murmu warned about AI-generated misinformation and emphasized human empathy as journalism’s core strength in combating such challenges.
- Recognition of Regional Language Journalism: She appreciated regional language reporting for capturing grassroots realities, highlighting its significance in the media landscape.
Notable Awardees:
The ceremony recognized 27 journalists across 20 categories. Some of the prominent awardees include:
- Mridulika Jha (Aaj Tak): Awarded in the Hindi (Print/Digital) category for her investigative report on the ‘Dunki route’ migration crisis.
- Sibu Kumar Tripathi (India Today): Honored in the Environment, Science & Technology category for his comprehensive coverage of the Joshimath sinking crisis.
- Jisha Elizabeth (Madhyamam): Recognized in the Regional Languages (Print/Digital) category for exposing human trafficking of Indian youth to Myanmar.
- Satyasundar Barik (The Hindu): Awarded in the ‘Uncovering India Invisible’ category for his reports on migration and missing daughters in Odisha.
- Twesh Mishra (Economic Times): Recognized in Business & Economic Journalism for investigating subsidy fraud in India’s EV manufacturing sector.
The Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards continue to uphold the values of fearless and ethical journalism, reinforcing its vital role in a democratic society. The 2025 ceremony not only celebrated individual achievements but also underscored the collective responsibility of the media to inform and empower the public.