Ramnath Goenka Awards for Excellence in Journalism 2025

The Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu to honor outstanding contributions to Indian journalism. The awards recognize journalists who uphold the values of truth, integrity, and fearless reporting. In her speech, President Murmu highlighted the importance of journalism in sustaining democracy and acknowledged Ramnath Goenka’s legacy in defending press freedom, particularly during the Emergency. She emphasized the need for ground reporting, research-based journalism, and the role of human values in combating challenges posed by AI and misinformation.

Key Highlights of President Murmu’s Speech

Tribute to Ramnath Goenka

• Acknowledged his contributions to press freedom.
• Recalled his stand against censorship during the Emergency.
• Highlighted his association with Mahatma Gandhi and his contributions to social causes.

Importance of Ground Reporting & Research

• Urged newsrooms to invest in investigative journalism.
• Mentioned Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s vision for newsroom research wings.
• Stressed that news gathering is the soul of journalism.

Challenges in Media Funding

• Addressed the conflict between profitability and responsible journalism.
• Suggested keeping readers at the center of journalism.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence & Deepfakes

• Warned about AI-generated misinformation.
• Stressed human empathy as the core strength of journalism.
• Encouraged critical thinking among the youth to detect biased news.

Recognition of Regional Language Journalism

• Appreciated regional language reporting for capturing grassroots realities.

Final Thoughts

• Journalism rooted in human values will never go extinct.
• The Ramnath Goenka Awards strengthen democracy by rewarding impactful journalism.

Summary Table of Award Winners