NI Bureau
Discussions on Press Freedom and Journalism’s Literary Influence take center stage at Press Club of India’s First Literary Festival
New Delhi, 1 March 2025:
The Press Club of India is hosting its first Literary Festival and Book Fair from February 29 to March 2, bringing together journalists, authors, publishers, and readers. The three-day event features discussions, book launches, and interactive sessions exploring the connection between journalism and literature.
The festival includes over 80 publishers and booksellers, such as Rajkamal Prakashan, Vani Prakashan, NBT, Delhi Press, and Midland. Gautam Lahiri, President of the Press Club of India (PCI), inaugurated the event, emphasizing the role of journalists beyond news reporting. “Journalists have contributed significantly to literature and public discourse. This festival provides a space to highlight that contribution,” he said.
Neeraj Thakur, Secretary General of PCI, added, “The Press Club has always been a place for news—now, it is also a place for books and knowledge.”
The festival opened with a panel discussion on press freedom in India, moderated by journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty. The conversation delved into the challenges confronting journalism today, with Vinod Sharma stressing the need for an independent platform to safeguard professional integrity. Hartosh Singh Bal raised concerns about declining reporting standards and the lack of diversity in newsrooms, while Urmilesh highlighted the increasing interference of the state in journalistic work. Paranjoy Guha Thakurta spoke about the growing pressure on media houses that challenge the government, making independent reporting more difficult. Adding to the discussion, Ashutosh Bharadwaj pointed out the weakening of investigative depth in Hindi journalism, where in-depth reporting is often replaced by surface-level content.
In the afternoon session another panel discussion took place, “Reporting from the Field on Hate and Suppression,” that was moderated by Surabhi Kanga and featured Aliza Noor, Shivangi Saxena, Saumya Raj, and Ayush Tiwari. The panelists shared harrowing accounts of threats, violence, and administrative roadblocks while covering sensitive stories. They described how authorities often restrict access to victims of communal violence and how Muslim journalists sometimes conceal their identities for safety. The discussion also touched on how digital platforms serve as both a lifeline for independent journalism and a breeding ground for online harassment.
A number of books by journalists were also launched on the first day of the festival, which include:
• Jai Singh’s book on lyricist Shailendra
• Azad Mirza’s study on Indian madrassas
• Rohini Singh’s “Mera Doosra Janam” (Urdu)
• Suhail Anjum’s “Urdu Sahafat ke Farogh mein Gair Muslim Sahafiyon ki Khidmat”
• Masoom Muradabadi’s monograph on G.D. Chandan
The “Author Spotlight” segment featured works by journalist-authors attending the event.
With two more days of discussions, book launches, and interactive sessions, the festival continues to highlight the connection between journalism and literature. The Press Club of India invites all book lovers and media professionals to participate.
