{
  "id": 2586550,
  "title": "Press clubs must become institutional force to defend media freedom: N. Ram",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/press-clubs-must-become-institutional-force-to-defend-media-freedom-n",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T13:59:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/press-clubs-must-become-institutional-force-to-defend-media-freedom-n-ram/article71377578.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prominent media figure N. Ram, Director of The Hindu Group, highlighted two interconnected challenges facing journalism: a loss of public trust and threats to media freedom. Speaking at the National Conclave of the Federation of Press Clubs in Hyderabad, he argued that these issues were not solely external to journalism, but also rooted within the industry itself. Political propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation on social media contributed to the trust deficit, but so too did sensationalism, inadequate verification, communal rhetoric, and excessive closeness to political and corporate interests.\n\nRam stressed that a free press cannot rely solely on constitutional and legal protections, emphasizing that public trust is equally essential for journalism to remain an effective democratic institution. To rebuild that trust, he called for press clubs to play a proactive role by promoting professional ethics and independence. He noted that threats to media freedom were not limited to any single political party or government, citing instances of criminal cases, police action, and attempts to arrest journalists across different political affiliations.\n\nHe pointed to a historical example where the Rajiv Gandhi government withdrew the Defamation Bill in 1988 following protests by journalists, demonstrating the power of collective action. The Federation of Press Clubs in India could establish a national network to respond swiftly to threats against journalists, document attacks, coordinate legal assistance, and issue verified statements. Ram also mentioned that former Union Minister Kapil Sibal had offered pro bono services and financial support for an independent foundation to protect journalists legally.\n\nAnant Nath, Editor of Caravan, and Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty, president of the Press Club of India, agreed that a united front against attacks on journalists and journalistic freedom would bolster the pursuit of fair journalism and support those affected by such incidents.",
  "summary": "The Director of The Hindu Group argues that a free press cannot survive on constitutional and legal safeguards alone, and that public trust is equally crucial to its remaining an effective democratic institution",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}