Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan warned of declining media independence, citing profit-driven reporting and recent raids on news outlets, and called for unity to protect press freedom.
“Journalism in India is going through one of its most challenging phases,” said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as he inaugurated the International Media Festival Kerala 2025 in Thiruvananthapuram, organised by the Kerala Media Academy. His remarks set the tone for a gathering that became a clarion call for press freedom and the defence of democracy.
The Chief Minister voiced deep concerns about the state of independent journalism in India. “Criticism of the ruling establishment is often dismissed as hostility and even branded as sedition. Most of the media in the country is controlled by corporate monopolies, and the government largely supports these corporate giants. In such a situation, an international media festival gains immense significance,” he said.
Vijayan went further to condemn the decline in media independence, arguing that news has become “a business for profit, often promoting communal violence rather than truth.” He singled out Republic TV’s reporting style and pointed to the challenges faced by outlets such as NDTV. “Even central agencies, acting as puppets of the centre, have raided BBC offices,” he said, warning this reflects “a lack of independent journalism.” His call was clear: media must stand united to defend press freedom.
Beyond journalism, Vijayan addressed international issues, notably the crisis in Palestine. “Israel is conducting genocide in Palestine with the support of the United States,” he said. Expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause, Vijayan handed over a declaration signed by festival delegates to Abdullah Abu Shawesh, Ambassador of Palestine to India. He paid tribute to Palestinian resistance fighters and highlighted the human toll of the conflict: “More than 250 journalists have been killed in Israeli attacks. The courage of Palestine fighters must be recognised.”
The festival also celebrated outstanding contributions to journalism. Mariam Ouedraogo, a journalist from Burkina Faso, was awarded Kerala Media Academy’s Media Person of the Year 2024. Senior Indian journalists Karan Thapar and Rajdeep Sardesai were named Indian Media Persons of the Year.
Accepting the award, Sardesai reflected on the risks faced by journalists in India: “There are hundreds of journalists across the country who fight for the truth without celebrity status. I dedicate this award to them.” Thapar expressed regret at missing earlier opportunities to attend, promising to return to Kerala soon.
In a landmark moment, the National Media Award instituted in memory of V. P. Ramachandran was presented for the first time to UK-based journalist Anasuddin Azeez, with Karan Thapar presiding over the honour.
The event brought together notable figures, including Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair; Director of Public Relations Department T. V. Subhash IAS; Kerala Media Academy Chairman R. S. Babu; poet and Saraswati Samman winner Prabha Varma; jury member Thomas Jacob; journalists’ union leaders K. P. Raji and Suresh Edappal; Janayugom Chief Editor Rajaji Mathew Thomas; Kerala Kaumudi Chief Editor Deepu Ravi; and Academy Secretary Arun S. S.
The International Media Festival Kerala 2025 proved not only a celebration of journalism but also a rallying point, emphasising that protecting press freedom is central to preserving democracy itself.
