The field of journalism is at a cross roads today. With the dawn of social media, almost everyone today has become a pseudo-journalist. Adding to it is the growing commercialization of journalism where 24×7 news channels, are constantly looking to surpass competition by hunting for news every second of the day, all around the year. Reporting news as it is and communicating opinions without selective bias are the biggest challenges facing journalists today. Visvamitra salutes the spirit of honest journalists, who are enabling people to see what they ought to see, without bias and with an intention to give righteousness its due place in society.
AWARDED TO Mr. Soumya Ranjan Patnaik
Mr. Soumya Ranjan Patnaik is a family name in Orissa (India), is the name of an intellectual and visionary. His love and commitment to the state of Orissa is reflected in all the efforts he has made during his career, as a pioneer in the field of media with the daily newspaper Sambad, as a philanthropist through the activities of the Aama Odisha Charitable Trust or in the role of politician. He is known as the Media Mogul (Emperor) of Orissa. Founder and publisher of the “Largest Circulated Daily Sambad”, he is also the founder of the “Popular TV Channel Kanak News”, Radio Chocolate, Odisha Sun Times and Eastern Media Limited. He has distinguished himself with particular merit for his contribution to the Oria language and for the protection of the rights of Orissa’s farmers.