Tag: journalism

Human Interest

Celebrating the Voices Behind the Game: Happy World Sports Journalists Day!

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July 2, 2025 — Whether it’s a last-minute goal, a record-breaking sprint, or a legendary comeback, the moments that define sports reach us through the lens of dedicated sports journalists. On World Sports Journalists Day, we honour the reporters, writers, editors, photographers, and commentators who shape our experience of sport—not just with facts, but with feeling.

First established by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in 1994, July 2 marks the day in 1924 when the organization was founded during the Summer Olympics in Paris. Today, the date serves as a reminder of the critical role that sports journalists play in not only covering events but also championing integrity, fair play, and the spirit of competition.

📰 More Than Just a Game

Behind every match highlight and athlete profile is a journalist chasing deadlines, battling stadium logistics, and balancing truth with empathy. Their work helps contextualize sports in society—touching on issues like gender equity, mental health, doping, inclusion, and geopolitics.

In an era of rapid digital change, sports journalism has expanded beyond newspapers and broadcasts. Social media updates, podcasts, real-time stats, and immersive storytelling now form the pulse of how fans connect to their favourite teams and athletes.

“Without sports journalists, victories would be forgotten, and legends wouldn’t be born,” said a senior editor at a national sports publication. “They are the heartbeat of the game, just as much as the athletes.”

🏟️ Unsung Heroes on the Sidelines

From remote local tournaments to global championships like the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup, sports journalists remain committed to documenting every angle. They ask the tough questions, celebrate unsung heroes, and help hold powerful institutions accountable.

They are often the first to arrive and last to leave, telling stories not just of triumph, but also of failure, perseverance, and resilience.

📷 A Salute to Their Passion

As fans, it’s easy to get caught up in the final score. But today, take a moment to appreciate those who make the game accessible—especially those working behind the scenes to deliver honest, passionate, and insightful coverage.

To every sports journalist out there: thank you for keeping us informed, inspired, and emotionally invested. Your words and images give sport the global heartbeat it deserves.

Happy World Sports Journalists Day! 📝🏅

Events in Goa

Veteran journalist Sandesh Prabhudesai to feature in GUJ’s ‘Behind The Byline’ series

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Veteran journalist and former editor of Sunaparant, Sandesh Prabhudesai, will be celebrated in ‘Behind The Byline’, know your GUJ member series, on Friday, May 23.

Prabhudesai will be in conversation with Gauree Malkarnekar (Assistant Metro Editor- The Times of India and GUJ executive committee member) at the GUJ hall, Shram Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, 4pm.

Prabhudesai’s career spanning four decades has earned him plenty of admirers. He started his journalism career as Margao correspondent of Sunaparant and Rashtramat in 1987 and later joined Tarun Bharat, where he was assigned the responsibility of South Goa Bureau Chief (1987–1990). He later joined Gomantak Times as Chief Reporter (1990 – 1996).

As the editor of Goa’s first Konkani daily, Sunaparant, in 2003 during its crucial transition phase from black & white to colour printing, Prabhudesai did significant work, before joining Prudent Media TV channel as its Editor-in-Chief in 2008.

Prabhudesai was also the Consulting Editor for Goa 365 television channel.

Prabhudesai started India’s first unique Mobile News Service – Goenkar News Service – (1999) and goanews.com, Goa’s first news website (1999).

As an established author, Prabhudesai has written10 books, including two translations (Konkani & English. His books released in three languages in 2014 includes Taalgadi (Konkani), Ghusmat (Marathi) and Clear Cut (English). Goff (Konkani) followed in 2015.

Some of his noted works include ‘Ajeeb Goa’s Gajab Politics’: Politics of Land of 7000 Years, and the 2002 bestseller, Double Engine: History of Goa Lok Sabha Elections.

Apart from journalism, the veteran journalist has acted and directed several stage plays.

Prabhudesai has been honoured by several government and non-government platforms for his dedicated work in the field of journalism. There’s the Goa Konkani Academy Literature Award and Konkani Bhasha Mandal Literature Award for Taalgadi in 2015, Konkani Prasar Madhyam – Kala Kaushalya Puraskar 2020 (Goa Konkani Academy), Laxmidas Borkar Smruti Patrakarita Puraskar 2022, Best TV Journalist Award of Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2016, Konkani Rotna 2023 by Kala Niketan etc.

‘Behind The Byline’, know your GUJ member is a monthly series initiated by the Goa Union of Journalists, where a senior GUJ member of repute is introduced to its members and the general public.

Goa Union of Journalists

Human Interest

GUJ condoles death of IFWJ President Vikram Rao

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The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) condoles the passing away of veteran journalist and National President of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) Dr. K. Vikram Rao.

Vikram Rao breathed his last following complications related to respiratory condition at a private hospital in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday. He was 82 and is survived by his wife Dr. K. Sudha Rao, sons and daughter.

The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) is affiliated to the Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ).

Vikram Rao has been an editor, author, media analyst, researcher and educator for the past 51 years. He has worked as correspondent for the ‘Voice of America’, Washington, The Times of India (Mumbai), The Economic Times, Filmfare and several other dailies.

A crusader for press freedom, Vikram Rao was jailed for 13 months (kept in five prisons) in 1976 when as IFWJ Vice President he opposed press censorship and the Emergency (1975-77).

Vikram Rao was a member of Statutory Justices Majithia (2008) and Manisana Singh (1996) wage boards for journalists. He was a member for five years of the Central Press Accreditation Committee (PIB) and a member of the Press Council of India for six years until 1991.

He was also elected as the chairman of the Confederation of Asian Journalist Unions at its Colombo conference.

As an author, Vikram Rao has written nine books on media studies. He was awarded a D. Litt degree for his media work in Mumbai.

He was a lecturer on reporting at the Institutes of Mass Communication in Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kochi (Kerala), Bhopal, Kolkata and Bengaluru.

Vikram Rao last interacted with members of the Goa Union of Journalists when a delegation led by its president Rajtilak Naik visited the UP Press Club, Lucknow in 2023.

The Goa Union of Journalists conveys its deepest sympathies to the family of Vikram Rao.

Awards

PRCI Goa to Celebrate National Public Relations Day – Senior Journalists to Be Honoured

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Panaji, April 17, 2025: The Public Relations Council of India (PRCI), Goa Chapter, in collaboration with the Goa Marathi Patrakar Sangh, is pleased to announce a special event to commemorate National Public Relations Day by honouring senior journalists who have made significant contributions to the field of journalism and public relations in Goa.

The National PR Day celebrations and Felicitation Ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at 11:00 am at the 4th Floor, Miramar Residency Hall, Miramar, Panaji.

The event will be graced by the presence of Hon’ble Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, who will attend as the Chief Guest. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Nilesh Khare, Chief Editor in Chief, Sakal Media Group, Mumbai, who will join as the Special Invitee and Principal Speaker (Pramukh Vakte).

The program will be presided over by Shri Deepak Narvekar, Chairman of PRCI Goa Chapter, and will feature a warm welcome by Shri Waman Prabhu, Vice Chairman of PRCI and President of the Goa Marathi Patrakar Sangh. Also present will be Shri Gurunath Pai, Vice Chairman; Shri Nikhil Wagh, Secretary, Smt. Kalika Bapat, Joint Secretary; ; Shri Venkatesh Kamat, Coordinator of PRCI Goa Chapter; Smt. Nikita Chodankar, Media Coordinator; Shri John Aguiar, Treasurer; and Shri Jones Samuel, Assistant Treasurer.

The Executive Committee Members supporting the event include Baban Ghatge, Uday Kamat, Milan Vaigankar, Julian D’Costa, Sangam Bhosle, Arjun Halarnkar, Venkatesh Kolar, Vrunadvan Raikar, Anant Joshi, R Britto, and Sandeep Kamble.

Commenting on the event, Deepak Narvekar, President of PRCI Goa Chapter, emphasized the need to bring together public relations professionals and to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of local journalists who tirelessly work for the betterment of the state. He expressed that this initiative is just the beginning, and in the near future, more journalists will be recognised for their dedication and service. He also added that efforts will be made to secure the support of the Government of Goa to further the interests and professional growth of PR practitioners in the state.

This event seeks to honour Goa’s most respected and senior media professionals for their lifetime of dedication and impactful work in shaping public discourse and upholding the values of responsible journalism. The celebration also aims to highlight the critical role that public relations and ethical journalism play in a vibrant and democratic society.

Books & Literature

Inside the newsroom, beyond the headlines… new book on the Goa media

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PANJIM, March 11: Goa’s media landscape is as vibrant and complex as the land it represents. From the early struggles of homegrown journalists to the modern day challenges of digital disruption, a new book paints a picture of the media through memories and musings of those in the field.

Through the voices of veteran reporters, photographers, editors, and young writers, this collection captures the spirit of storytelling, the struggle to tell the truth, and the ever-changing nature of the profession.

Noted Mumbai-based journalist and ex-editor Olga Tellis explains how she entered the field, and her experiences there. Journalists Dharmanand Kamat and Mohan Vaidya (ex-Gomantak) give their unusual insights into the field.

John Aguiar was a journalist from his schooldays; Julian D’Costa e D’Cruz narrates her victories over the years; Patricia Ann Alvares shares her freelance and fulltime journalism experiences; as does Cordelia B Francis.

The book is divided into sections — home-grown talent, younger voices, niche spaces, views from the outside, and looking in-looking back.

Besides Tellis, the other outstation journalists with strong Goan links or experiences include Ayesha Kagal, Lina Mathias, Reena Martins, Adrian da Cunha (who worked in circulation in some prominent organisations), Capt Norbert Rebello (whose family ran the community Romi Konkani ‘Cine Times’), and Olav Albuquerque.

Niche spaces focussed on include column writing (Miguel Braganza), Konkani journalism (Fausto V da Costa), from journalism to books (Sheela Jayway), alternative media (Frederick Noronha, who also edits the book), and radio (Nerita D’Cruz).

Younger journalists who share their experiences include Gerard de Souza, Anna Fernandes, Anish Esteves and Diana Fernandes.

Largest is the second of “home-grown talent”, including Pamela D’Mello, Fr Elvis H Fernandes, noted photographer Sandeep Naik, the late Joel D’Souza, Michael Fisher, Mayabhushan Nagvenkar, Camil Parkhe, and veteran late Mariio Cabral e Sa.

Daryl Pereira, an expat Goan who spent a year working in Goa, narrates his story of how he moved “from Goa to generative AI”. Pereira has worked for some giant IT corporations too.

Former journalists and non-journalists also share their experiences in Goa, including Debashish Munshi, Pushpa Iyengar, Gasper D’Souza, the late Ashley D’Mello (his last piece contributed here).

Whether it’s the nostalgia over scarce typewriters, the smell of newsprint, or the reality of pink slips in today’s newspaper industry, each chapter is a window into the lives of those who have shaped and chronicled history. Most of the writers are from Goa, though some are based outside.

With reflections on ethics, press freedom, and the impact of technology, this book is a sequel to the book ‘In Black and White: Insiders’ Stories about the Press in Goa’, which was published in 2008. Now out of print, the earlier title is available at archive.org.

The book will be shortly available in local bookstores, and also via mail-order from WhatsApp 9822122436.