IPI award for excellence in Journalism presented to Dr. Prannoy Roy
New Delhi: Prannoy Roy, the distinguished media personality and president of NDTV, has been presented with the Award for Excellence in Journalism, by the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. At a function held at Vigyan Bhavan here, Dr. Roy received it for investigative stories run by the news and current affairs television channel on the stamp paper scam masterminded by Abdul Karim Telgi and a baby-swapping racket.

The award, comprising a memento and a cash component of Rs2 lakhs, is instituted by the India chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI). A jury headed by the former Chief Justice of India and Chairman of National Human Rights Commission, A.S. Anand, made the choice.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Roy said India has the potential to emerge as a global media hub in the 21st century as about a million talented youth in the country are already working in the sector.

Pointing to the paradox of India where "there is capitalism for the poor and socialism for the rich,'' Dr. Roy said the rich are enjoying the subsidies while the poor are facing features of capitalism such as job insecurity and unhealthy competition. The media have a major role to play in correcting this anomaly, he said.

Dr. Roy, one of India's leading psephologists, holds a doctorate in economics and is a London-qualified chartered accountant. He is a winner of several major awards.
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