Media Freedom Under Siege: A Call to Action

A panel discussion by leading journalists highlights the crisis facing media professionals and press freedom globally, accentuated by India's drop in the World Press Freedom Index. The dialogue underscores the necessity for stronger international protection for journalists and criticizes internal issues impacting the media landscape.

Leading journalists from various organizations have expressed alarm over the current status of media professionals and the struggle for press freedom worldwide. During a panel discussion organized by the Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC) on World Press Freedom Day, significant concerns were raised about these challenges. Attendees included C K Naik, Raghavan Srinivasan, and Waiel Awwad, who emphasized the alarming deliberate attacks on journalists.

At the event, which took place against the backdrop of India’s slump to 157th place in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, Waiel Awwad highlighted recent targeted killings of journalists in conflict zones like Gaza. He stressed the pressing need for more robust international safeguards to protect reporters in the field, arguing that these threats aim to suppress the truth.

Raghavan Srinivasan pointed out structural flaws within the media industry, including ownership biases and editorial pressures, while C K Naik discussed the profession's inner conflicts that hinder collective action. Finally, IWPC president Sujata Raghavan called for cooperative efforts to reinforce journalism's role as an integral part of democracy.