It is a great pleasure and honour to be here today at the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards — an occasion that celebrates professional achievement as well as the enduring spirit of fearless and principled journalism.

Ramnath Goenka was a patriot, a nationalist, and an industrialist with a strong sense of social responsibility. These awards, in their 20th year, honour the legacy of Goenkaji, which was defined by courage, independence, and an unwavering commitment to truth, especially during some of the most challenging periods of our nation’s history. At a time when the role of the media is both more powerful and more scrutinised than ever before, his ideals continue to serve as a guiding light.

True journalism means standing with the positive and constructive aspects of society and opposing the negative and unconstructive ones. Wrong should not be published. Journalism should help correct wrongs, to help leaders have correct views in the larger interest of society. Freedom is important. Human beings think differently and act differently. In a democracy, differences of opinion are natural, but they should lead to more constructive and vibrant solutions. We should not differ in ways that create permanent divisions and confrontation.

For democracy to remain vibrant, it........

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