The Indo-American Press Club (IAPC) and the Global Indian Council (GIC) joined forces this week to honor the winners of the 2026 Online News Writing Competition. The virtual ceremony served as a high-profile tribute to journalistic integrity, highlighting the next generation of media professionals committed to accuracy and human-centric storytelling.
Testing the Pulse of Modern Journalism
Unlike traditional contests, this competition challenged participants to perform on-the-spot reporting without the aid of external tools. The goal was to strip away the noise of the digital age and focus on the core pillars of the craft: originality, speed, and the “human element” that connects a story to its audience.
The “Inverted Pyramid” and Ethical Frontiers
The ceremony featured insights from veteran media voices who addressed the shifting landscape of global news:
- The Golden Rule: Keynote speaker and senior journalist AJ Philip championed the classic inverted pyramid style. He urged young writers to prioritize “reader-focused language” over complex jargon to ensure information remains accessible.
- Navigating Bias: S. Radhakrishnan, Assistant Director of MASCOM, tackled the darker side of modern media, including cultural barriers and sensationalism. He called for a renewed commitment to multimedia reporting that remains ethically grounded and collaborative.
Champions of the Craft
The evening’s top honors were awarded to three individuals recognized for their constructive and insightful approach to reporting:
- Dyuthi Susan Zachariah
- Neba Anna Thomas
- Subhodip Chowdary
Beyond the awards, the event sparked critical dialogue on the “mentorship gap” in journalism education and the ethical responsibilities of the rising tide of citizen journalists.
A Global Collaboration
Leaders from both organizations praised the synergy between the IAPC and GIC. GIC President P.C. Mathew and IAPC Founder Chairman Ginsmon Zacharia were joined by executives from Detroit, Houston, and Canada to felicitate the winners, marking the event as a truly international effort in media advocacy.
Sudhir Nambiar, GIC General Secretary, delivered the vote of thanks, noting that the competition is more than just a contest—it is a training ground for “responsible, skilled journalists” who will shape future public discourse.
Closing the ceremony, IAPC Vice Chairman Dr. Matthew Joys expressed a sense of shared achievement. “The success of this event bodes well for our collaborative efforts,” Joys remarked. “We have established a major platform for identifying the talent that will lead global journalism into the future.”
