The Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards is the most prestigious annual event in Indian media space. The awards were distributed today in the national capital. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was the chief guest on the occasion. He distributed awards to 29 winners in 18 categories in print, broadcast and digital journalism for outstanding performance in 2017.
Rajnath Singh, in his address at the Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awards, ceremony said that any criticism of an individual or government must be taken in a sporting manner. “I think media acts as a mirror to the government. But that mirror should not be painted with any colour as it can pose a question mark on its credibility,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.
The minister while lauding the role of late Ramnath Goenka, founder of Indian Express newspaper, for his courageous journalism. The agency quoted him further as saying, “I believe that sensationalism of news is an insult to journalism. And I can say that Ramnath Goenka never allowed it while he was around.”
A panel discussion on the subject ‘#MeToo in the Newsroom: What editors can and should do’ followed the award ceremony. The panel comprised Dhanya Rajendran, editor-in-chief of The News Minute, Meenal Baghel, editor of Mumbai Mirror, Ritu Kapur, chief executive officer of The Quint and Rupa Jha of BBC World Service. The discussion will be moderated by Seema Chishti, Deputy Editor, The Indian Express.
Read also: Sensationalism of news is an insult to journalism, says Rajnath Singh
"Behind every story in every RNG Awards are people whom we will never know. The subjects, editors, copyeditors, designers, people in marketing and advertising who get resources to get the story told. It is the web of these relationships that lets us be here," says Rajkamal Jha
Rajkamal Jha Chief Editor, The Indian Express congratulates the winners of the RNG Awards.
I think that it's okay if a friendship isn't there between media and the government, but there should be no hatred or discord between them, says Rajnath Singh
There are challenges of fake news, paid news and coloured news, says Rajnath Singh
"I believe that sensationalism of news is an insult to journalism. And I can say that Ramnath Goenka never allowed it while he was around," says Rajnath Singh
Ramnath Goenka set up IndianExpress in 1932. It was a very courageous thing to do. Saying that Mr. Goenka's DNA was full of courage would not be an exaggeration. Even IndianExpress's DNA has a lot of courage," Rajnath Singh
Ramnath Goenka's work was political but he never had any political ambitions, says Rajnath Singh
Ram Sarangan wins the Priya Chandrashekhar Memorial Award.
If I said that the late Ramnath Goenka and his work during the Emergency was like a lamp in dark times, it would not come close to what he really did for India and its democracy," says Rajnath Singh
Aanchal Magazine wins the Sandeep Sinha Memorial Award for Excellence in Reporting