The Ramnath Goenka Awards, among the most prestigious in journalism, have been announced, and once again, the India Today Group has made a mark. Aajtak.in's special correspondent, Mridulika Jha, has been honored with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award for 2023 in the Hindi category. She received this accolade for her ground-breaking report on Haryana's and Punjab's youth aspiring to reach America via 'Donkey Routes'. Read her award-winning story
The Real-Life Donkey Tale
In her narrative, 'Real-Life Donkey', Mridulika unveiled how young people from Haryana are willing to gamble everything, even their lives, in desperate attempts to migrate to Canada or the USA. Many succumb to their perilous journey, while others are caught and sent back, yet the craze to go abroad does not wane.
Alongside Mridulika Jha, Aajtak News Channel's Deputy Editor, Ashutosh Mishra, was awarded for Excellence in Journalism: Politics and Government (TV and Broadcast) for his impactful ground reports during the Manipur violence. Click here to read Ashutosh Mishra's stories.
Award for Coverage on Joshimath
Shibu Tripathi, Assistant Editor at India Today Digital, also received the Ramnath Goenka Award for his coverage on Joshimath. Explore Shibu Tripathi’s reports by clicking
Source: aajtak
Similarly, 'The Lallantop' Associate Editor, Siddhant Mohan, was awarded for his 'Kerala Story'. Read Siddhant Mohan’s reports
The Significant Role of Media in Nation-Building
While addressing the ceremony, Chief Guest President Droupadi Murmu emphasized that free and fair journalism is crucial for democracy. She remarked that without accurate information, a nation’s democratic process weakens. Termed the fourth pillar of democracy, the news media significantly contributes to modern nation-building. She mentioned that a newsroom filled with ideas is vital for the business of news.
The President noted the media's essential role in combating fake news and misinformation. She stressed the necessity of awareness regarding AI misuse among citizens. Today’s AI advancements offer new opportunities but also pose challenges to journalism and other sectors. President Murmu asserted that the human aspect in journalism is vital and gives journalists an edge over AI.
During the ceremony organized by the Ramnath Goenka Memorial Foundation at Delhi's Oberoi Hotel, President Droupadi Murmu presented these awards. Every year, journalists demonstrating excellence across various media platforms, including print, electronic, and digital, are honored with the Ramnath Goenka Award.
