Hyderabad: Women journalists in India are increasingly facing legal threats, professional isolation and constant online trolling, retired journalism academic Padmaja Shaw said on Tuesday.
Addressing a memorial lecture, she said harassment had become a routine experience for women working in newsrooms. Moreover, she said such pressure often targeted their independent views and professional freedom.
The lecture was organised at Dr B R Ambedkar Open University to mark the 90th birth anniversary of eminent journalist and former vice-chancellor S Basheeruddin. During the programme, Shaw paid floral tributes to Basheeruddin’s portrait.
Speaking on the theme Women’s influence on journalism, she said women journalists continued to face barriers at multiple levels. At the same time, she alleged that ruling establishments often attempted to suppress dissenting voices.
Recalling Basheeruddin’s role, she said he guided journalism education with vision and commitment. In particular, she noted that he encouraged women to emerge as confident media professionals.
Media must support public causes, says VC
Presiding over the programme, Vice-Chancellor Ghanta Chakrapani said Basheeruddin’s contributions to the university remained unforgettable. He added that the former vice-chancellor played a crucial role in developing academic infrastructure.
However, Chakrapani expressed concern that the media was falling short in awakening society. Therefore, he said journalists and media organisations must actively support common people and focus on public issues.
He further urged media institutions to uphold social responsibility. At the same time, he stressed the need to protect journalists who highlighted social concerns.
University Registrar L Vijay Krishna Reddy, former Media Academy chairman Devulapalli Amar, Assistant Professor of Journalism Sunil Kumar Pothana, along with deans, heads of departments and employee union leaders, attended the programme.