Date: 2026-03-27Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Shri Ram Nath Goenka Demonstrated the Power of Silence by Publishing a Blank Editorial During the Emergency: Vice President at the 20th Edition of Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards
**Executive Summary**
On March 27, 2026, Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed the 20th Edition of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in New Delhi. The event celebrated fearless and principled journalism while honoring the legacy of Shri Ramnath Goenka, specifically his commitment to press freedom during the Emergency and the Quit India Movement. The Vice President called for media institutions to shed colonial mindsets and prioritize a balanced narrative that highlights national progress.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Legacy and Historical Contributions of Shri Ramnath Goenka**
* **Commitment to Truth:** Shri Goenka’s career was defined by independence, courage, and an unwavering commitment to truth during India’s most challenging historical periods.
* **Protest Against Censorship:** During the Quit India Movement, he shut down his newspaper to protest British censorship.
* **Symbol of Press Freedom:** During the Emergency, he published a blank editorial as a "power of silence," remaining steadfast despite financial losses, harassment, and the imprisonment of editors.
* **Legislative and Cultural Impact:** As a member of the Constituent Assembly, he intervened on issues like newspaper taxation and promoted national unity by publishing in multiple regional languages.
**Role and Responsibilities of Modern Media**
* **National Interest:** Discussion, debate, and dissent must be directed toward constructive decision-making for the nation rather than causing disruption.
* **Civilisational Ethos:** Media institutions are urged to present national and global developments through an Indian perspective rooted in the country’s own cultural and civilisational values.
* **Shedding Colonial Mindsets:** Journalists are encouraged to lead efforts in moving away from colonial-era perspectives.
**Narrative and Reporting Standards**
* **Balanced Storytelling:** A balanced narrative should include both the challenges faced by the country and its significant achievements.
* **Focus on Transformation:** The Vice President emphasized the importance of reporting on stories of innovation, progress, and grassroots transformation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Journalists and Media Institutions**
**Impact**
Media professionals are recognized as the primary drivers of democratic values and are expected to uphold the legacy of independent, fair, and fearless reporting.
**Action Required**
Adopt an Indian perspective in reporting, prioritize national interest over disruption, and ensure a balanced narrative by highlighting stories of innovation and progress alongside existing challenges.
**The Indian Express Group (Organizers)**
**Impact**
The organization is acknowledged for sustaining a 20-year tradition of recognizing excellence and maintaining Shri Goenka’s values of fairness and independence.
**Action Required**
Continue the tradition of honoring principled journalism and maintain the institution as a symbol of courage and independence.
**Award Winners**
**Impact**
Winners are formally recognized for their professional achievements and their contribution to the spirit of principled journalism.
**Action Required**
Maintain the high standards of journalism that the awards celebrate and continue to serve as a "guiding light" in an era of intense media scrutiny.
Key Entities Referenced
Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards: An annual award program, currently in its 20th edition, that recognizes professional achievement and the spirit of fearless, principled journalism.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan: The Vice President of India who addressed the awards ceremony, emphasizing the importance of debate, dissent, and media's role in the national interest.
Shri Ram Nath Goenka: The founder of The Indian Express whose legacy of courage, independence, and commitment to press freedom during the Emergency is the inspiration for the awards.
The Indian Express Group: The media organization responsible for organizing the awards and sustaining the tradition of recognizing excellence in journalism.
Vice President's Secretariat
Shri Ram Nath Goenka Demonstrated the Power
of Silence by Publishing a Blank Editorial During
the Emergency: Vice President at the 20th
Edition of Ramnath Goenka Excellence in
Journalism Awards
Ram Nath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards
Celebrate Professional Achievement and the Spirit of
Fearless, Principled Journalism: Vice President
Discussion, Debate, and Dissent Must Lead to Decision-
Making in the National Interest, Not Disruption: Vice
President
Newspapers Should Lead the Effort to Shed Colonial
Mindsets: Vice President
Posted On: 27 MAR 2026 8:26PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, addressed the 20th Edition of Ramnath Goenka
Excellence in Journalism Awards organised by The Indian Express Group in New Delhi today.
Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan graced the 20th Edition of Ramnath
Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards organised by The Indian Express Group
in New Delhi today.
The Vice President noted that the awards honour the legacy of Shri Ramnath
Goenka, defined by courage,… pic.twitter.com/A7wTMBdIve
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) March 27, 2026
The Vice President said that the awards celebrate not only professional achievement but also the enduring
spirit of fearless and principled journalism. Noting that the awards are in their 20th year, he said they
honour the legacy of Shri Ramnath Goenka, defined by courage, independence, and an unwavering
commitment to truth, particularly during some of the most challenging periods in India’s history. He added
that in an era where media is both powerful and under intense scrutiny, Shri Goenka’s ideals remain a
guiding light.The Vice President highlighted Shri Goenka’s role during the Quit India Movement, when he chose to shut
down the newspaper in protest against British censorship. He also recalled Shri Goenka’s contribution as a
member of the Constituent Assembly, including his interventions on issues such as taxation of
newspapers.
Referring to the Emergency in India, the Vice President noted that Shri Goenka demonstrated the power of
silence by publishing a blank editorial, which became a powerful symbol of press freedom and the
citizen’s right to expression. The Vice President said despite facing imprisonment of editors, disruption of
power supply, financial losses, and harassment, Shri Goenka remained steadfast in his commitment to
democratic values and freedom of expression.
The Vice President observed that Shri Goenka’s life journey - from Darbhanga to Chennai and later as a
Member of Parliament from Vidisha reflected the essence of India’s unity in diversity. He also noted that
Shri Goenka published newspapers in multiple regional languages along with English to ensure wider
reach, and that his values continue to define The Indian Express as a symbol of fairness, courage, and
independence.
The Vice President stated that discussion, debate and even dissent must ultimately lead to decision-making
in the interest of the nation, rather than result in disruption.
He also recalled the Prime Minister’s emphasis on shedding colonial mindsets and noted that media
institutions like The Indian Express have a key role in presenting global and national developments from
an Indian perspective rooted in the country’s civilisational ethos.
The Vice President emphasised the importance of highlighting stories of progress, innovation, and
grassroots transformation, stating that a balanced narrative must include both challenges and
achievements.
Concluding his address, the Vice President congratulated all the award winners and commended the
organisers for sustaining the tradition of recognising excellence in journalism.
***
PR/ASM/VM
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