New Delhi/Ukhrul: Fearless journalism stands as a pillar of democracy, and this year’s Vishwa Nath-Delhi Press Award for Fearless Journalism has gone to Rokibuz Zaman of The Scroll, whose work has exposed systemic injustices faced by minority communities in India. Through his investigative reports, he has brought to light issues of selective evictions, extrajudicial killings, and discriminatory policies. Speaking exclusively with Ukhrul Times, he said, “My stories have revealed this systemic discrimination – from how the BJP-government excluded landless Muslims from a flagship land distribution scheme, the selective eviction drives against Muslim residents, to the extrajudicial killings of Muslims and tribals – and, finally, a renewed crackdown that aims to send more Bengali-origin Muslims to the detention centre.”
The Media Foundation, which organizes these awards, recognized Zaman’s work for its courage and commitment to truth. His reports have highlighted how government policies disproportionately affect marginalized communities, sparking human rights and accountability discussions. His fearless approach to reporting has drawn attention to systemic discrimination that often goes unnoticed in mainstream discourse.
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Along with Zaman, two other journalists were honoured this year. Jatinder Kaur Tur of The Caravan received the Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding Woman Media Person of the Year for her investigative work on human rights violations. Priyanka Tupe of BehanBox was awarded the Kamla Mankekar Award for Journalism on Gender for her reporting on discrimination and violence faced by women from marginalized backgrounds.
The Vishwa Nath-Delhi Press Award for Fearless Journalism, named after Delhi Press founder Vishwa Nath, honours journalists who challenge power structures and bring critical truths to the public. The Chameli Devi Jain Award, named after the freedom fighter, celebrates women journalists excelling in impactful reporting. The Kamla Mankekar Award recognizes outstanding journalism on gender issues.
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Founded in 1979 after the Emergency, The Media Foundation has strongly advocated press freedom. Established by media stalwarts like B.G. Verghese, Kuldip Nayar, and Arun Shourie, it has encouraged fearless journalism through awards and initiatives, including The Hoot, India’s first media-watch website. This year’s winners reaffirm the power of journalism in holding the powerful accountable and giving voice to the voiceless.