Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has assured journalists that the government remains committed to addressing their concerns. Speaking as the chief guest at the National Press Day celebrations at the Institute Menezes Braganza in Panjim on Tuesday, 17 November 2025, he urged the media to present their issues collectively for better understanding and resolution.
“There are several issues that affect the press, and I would say to them, ‘Please come together and communicate exactly what you want,’ so that we are in a better position to understand and make a decision,” he added. Dr Sawant also promised that the government would look into pension-related matters affecting journalists.
The event was attended by Sarpreet Singh Gill, IAS, commissioner-cum-Secretary (I & P), as guest of honour.
“The truth is always important and must come to the fore, otherwise people will suffer. It is vital that reporting reflects both sides of a story. Do not create hype — verify the news. The government works for the state, and while media criticism is always welcome as it's your duty to do so, the state’s image is supreme for us. Let’s work towards maintaining it,” he said.
WOMEN IN JOURNALISM
Commending the interactive session on ‘Women in Journalism: Challenges and Opportunities’, Dr Sawant said the government has moved beyond women’s empowerment and is now focusing on women-led development, which he described as the need of the hour.
The panel featured veteran journalist Devika Sequeira, Assistant Metro Editor of The Times of India; Gauree Malkarnekar, Partner at Digital Goa News Service; Sangeeta Naik, senior journalist at The Navhind Times; and Diana Fernandes. The session was moderated by Pradnya Gaonkar Rane, Compiling Editor at Doordarshan.
UPHOLDING INDIA’S FOURTH PILLAR
Earlier, Dipak Bandekar, Director of the Department of Information and Publicity, welcomed attendees and highlighted this year’s theme for National Press Day, ‘Upholding India’s Fourth Pillar in the Digital Age’ — a nod to the press’ enduring role in sustaining Indian democracy. He added, “The Fourth Pillar, our free press, was never made of marble. It was built with ink, courage and the stubborn belief that truth must travel faster than power.”
Bandekar emphasised the need to uphold the Fourth Pillar by reclaiming verification as a sacred duty, exploring new economic models such as community-funded journalism, and promoting media literacy. He concluded, “Do not mistake speed for power. The digital age rewards the loudest, but history remembers the bravest.”
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT & FELICITATIONS
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to veteran cartoonist Alex Raphael Fernandes, popularly known as Alexyz, from Siolim. In his acceptance speech, Alexyz thanked the government for the honour and shared a brief, impromptu moment of laughter to express his delight.
Rajtilak Naik, president of the Goa Union of Journalists, thanked the government for raising the journalist family pension from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per month and expressed hope for continued support on matters affecting journalists.
Several senior media professionals were also felicitated, including:
- Joel Afonso, Editor, The Goan Everyday
- Jai Naik, senior journalist, Tarun Bharat
- Atul Pandit, senior journalist, Bhaangarbhuim
- Baban Bhagat, senior journalist, Navprabha
- Nandesh Kambli, senior photojournalist, The Navhind Times
GOA JOURNALIST AWARDS 2025
The Goa Journalist Awards 2025 honoured excellence across various reporting categories:
- Pandurang Gaonkar – Best Editor Award for National Integration and Communal Harmony
- Ajay Buva – Rural Reporting
- Ramandeep Kaur – Public Health and Hygiene Reporting
- Vibha Verma – Reporting on Women, Children and Social Issues
- Marcus Mergulhao – Sports Reporting
- Gauree Malkarnekar – Arts and Culture Reporting
- Rajtilak Naik – Photojournalism: Best Photograph of the Year
- Christine Machado – Education Reporting
- Sameep Narvekar – Reporting on Government Achievements
GOA STATE PHOTO CONTEST & EXHIBITION 2024
The results of the Goa State Photo Contest and Exhibition 2024 were announced and prizes awarded were as follows:
Category: Viksit Goa – Overall Development of the State
- First Prize: Arunabh Bhattacharjee
- Second Prize: Siddesh Mayenkar
- Third Prize: Abhinav Bhattacharjee
- Consolation Prizes: Akshanda Rane, Ganesh Shetkar, Amrut Ramakant Shet, Narayan Pissurlenkar, Pramod Thakur
Category: Forests and Wildlife of Goa – Showcasing Goa’s Natural Beauty (including landscapes, mountains, lakes, rivers, etc)
- First Prize: Shailendra N Naik
- Second Prize: Prashant Shirodkar
- Third Prize: Nakul Dhawaskar
- Consolation Prizes: Sidhesh S Shetgaonkar, Siddesh Mayenkar, Joshua D’Silva, Shivam Harmalkar, Ganesh Shetkar
A photo exhibition featuring all the award-winning entries was also on display. The event was attended by Joint Director Praveen Shirodkar, Information Officer Allwyn Pereira, Assistant Accounts Officer Hazel Almeida, Office Superintendent Sailesh Naik, and staff of the Department of Information and Publicity, among others. Information Assistant Utkarsha Bhuskute compered the function.
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