Hyderabad, Feb 10 (TNT): Women journalists in India are facing constant threats in the form of legal pressure, professional isolation and online trolling, said Prof. Padmaja Shah, retired professor of journalism while delivering the Prof. S. Bashiruddin Memorial Lecture at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) here on Tuesday.
Speaking on the theme “Impact of Women on Journalism”, Prof. Shah said women across the world have rebuilt journalism by overcoming legal, social and intellectual barriers.
She observed that women journalists have consistently campaigned for gender rights and justice, laying a strong foundation for investigative journalism in the country.
However, she expressed concern that women journalists continue to face obstacles at every stage, with rulers often disregarding their free and independent opinions.
Prof. Shah recalled the contributions of Prof. S. Bashiruddin, former Vice-Chancellor, stating that he played a significant role in shaping generations of journalism professionals, particularly women, by adopting a forward-looking and inclusive approach.
She also highlighted that women journalists were instrumental during the national movement in raising awareness on women’s rights and self-governance through the press.
She noted that women journalists never ignored issues traditionally considered outside the scope of “news”, portraying domestic work as an economic activity, marriage laws as legal inequality, education as citizenship, and violence against women as a public crime rather than a private issue.
Prof. Shah cited the contributions of renowned women journalists such as Swarna Kumari Devi, Pandita Ramabai, Malini Subramaniam, Neha Dixit, Revathi, Swati Chaturvedi and Ritu Sarin, describing how their work strengthened independent and fearless journalism.
Presiding over the function, Ghanta Chakrapani, Vice-Chancellor of BRAOU, said the services rendered by Prof. S. Bashiruddin for the growth of the university were unforgettable.
He described Prof. Bashiruddin as an icon of the Indian journalism fraternity who used his influence to build and expand the university nationwide.
Prof. Chakrapani expressed concern that the media was not fully playing its role in awakening society and urged journalists to stand by the common man and focus on public issues.
Devulapalli Amar, former Chairman of the Media Academy, recalled Prof. S. Bashiruddin’s immense contribution to the Indian journalism sector.
TNT TS
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