Women Journalists Conclave in Guwahati: A Step Towards Press Freedom

In a significant move for journalism in North East India, the Gauhati Press Club organized the first Women Journalists Conclave titled "Let's Talk" on December 27, 2025, in Guwahati. The event marked a crucial step towards creating a dedicated platform for women journalists to discuss professional challenges, media ethics, and press freedom.

Threats to Press Freedom

Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty, the President of the Press Club of India, was the Chief Guest at the event. She highlighted the threats to press freedom in India and emphasized the need for collective action among journalists.

Pisharoty spoke at length about the current state of the media in India and underscored the centrality of press freedom in a democracy. She expressed concern over the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), stating that certain provisions of the law could potentially curtail the rights of journalists and restrict access to information.

Collective Action for Journalistic Freedom

The Press Club of India plans to actively engage with press clubs across the country, including the Gauhati Press Club, to collectively oppose any measures that threaten journalistic freedom and the right to report.

Smitakshi B. Goswami, CMD of Pratidin Time, reaffirmed her commitment to stand firmly behind honest and fearless journalism.

Challenges Faced by Women in Media

The conclave featured three panel discussions where eminent women journalists from Assam shared their experiences and insights. The sessions focused on workplace challenges faced by women in media, including issues encountered by reporters in the field, television anchors, and desk professionals.

Speakers candidly discussed gender bias, safety concerns, professional growth, and the need for stronger institutional support for women journalists.

A Timely Initiative

The event concluded with a collective call for solidarity among women journalists and renewed commitment from media institutions to ensure safer, more inclusive, and ethically strong newsrooms.

The Women Journalists Conclave was widely seen as a timely initiative, highlighting both the challenges faced by women in journalism and the urgent need to safeguard press freedom in the country.

In the broader Indian context, the event underscores the importance of press freedom and the need for collective action among journalists to safeguard their rights and the public's right to information.