Tag: Press Freedom

Events in Goa

Goa Journalist Awards 2025 Presented by CM Dr. Pramod Sawant on National Press Day

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant presented the Goa Journalist Awards 2025 to nine distinguished journalists on the occasion of National Press Day at the Institute of Menezes Braganza Hall, Panaji. The event celebrated and acknowledged the contributions of media professionals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to public-interest journalism throughout the year. The Best Editor Award on National Integration and Communal Harmony was conferred upon Shri Pandurang Gaonkar, while Shri Ajay Buva was recognised for his impactful rural reporting. Ms Ramandeep Kaur received the award for reporting in public health and hygiene, highlighting her work in bringing key health-related issues to the forefront. Smt Vibha Verma was honoured for reporting with special reference to women, children, and social issues.

In the field of sports journalism, Shri Marcus Mergulhao was awarded for his consistent and insightful sports reporting. Ms Gauree Malkarnekar received recognition for her remarkable work in reporting on art and culture, while Shri Rajtilak Naik was awarded in the category of Photojournalism for producing the Best Photograph of the Year. Ms Christine Machado was felicitated for excellence in reporting on education, and Shri Sameep Narvekar was honoured for his reporting on achievements of the Government. Their contributions represented a diverse spectrum of journalistic impact, reflecting the evolving needs of society and the essential role of the press in shaping informed public discourse.

The event was graced by Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Information & Publicity) Shri Sarpreet Singh Gill, IAS, Director of the Department of Information & Publicity Shri Dipak Bandekar, and Goa Union of Journalists President Shri Rajtilak Naik. The occasion underscored the government’s recognition of the media’s role in upholding democratic values, promoting accountability, and serving as a bridge between the public and policymakers. The ceremony reaffirmed the importance of responsible journalism and celebrated the dedication of individuals who continue to pursue truth, awareness, and social progress through their work.

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Goa Loses Veteran Journalist and Konkani Stalwart Babli Nayak ; Passes Away at 73

Tanisha Cardozo

The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) has expressed deep sorrow and paid tribute to senior journalist Babli Nayak, who passed away at the age of 73 after a brief illness on Thursday. Nayak, widely respected in Goa’s media and cultural landscape, was known not only for his journalistic integrity but also for his lifelong dedication to the Konkani language and Goa’s identity.

Nayak began his career with Sunaparant, Goa’s first Konkani daily, from its inception. He rose through the ranks to become its editor and remained with the publication until it ceased operations in 2016. His work at Sunaparant helped shape the discourse on Goan identity and linguistic rights during a transformative era for the state.

Beyond the newsroom, Nayak played a critical role in the 1986 ‘Konkani Projecho Awaz’ movement, which sought recognition for Konkani as the official language of Goa and pushed for its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. He was also actively involved in the campaign for Goa’s statehood. His activism was not without sacrifice—he was arrested and jailed at Aguada Fort during the Emergency in 1975 for protesting against the suppression of civil liberties, as a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Despite his substantial contributions to journalism and society, Nayak never accepted any awards or public felicitations. He chose to serve quietly but with unwavering dedication, earning the admiration and respect of peers across generations.

The GUJ has conveyed its deepest condolences to the family of Babli Nayak and acknowledged his unmatched role in shaping the media narrative in Goa. His absence will be profoundly felt by all who value fearless journalism and cultural advocacy.

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.

Books & Literature

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

allycaralgoa

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.