Senior journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty has been elected as the first woman president of the Press Club of India, breaking a decades-old barrier at one of the country’s most influential media institutions. Her panel registered a clean sweep, winning all positions with a decisive 21–0 margin.
Elections were held on Saturday with results declared on Sunday, delivering an emphatic mandate that reflects strong support for Pisharoty’s leadership among the Delhi-based journalist fraternity.
New Leadership Team Takes Charge
Afzal Imam was elected secretary general alongside Pisharoty’s historic win. Jatin Gandhi secured the vice-president position, while Aditi Rajput and P R Sunil were elected unopposed as treasurer and joint secretary respectively.
The new executive committee is expected to prioritize press freedom advocacy, journalist welfare initiatives, and institutional reforms at a time when the media industry grapples with professional and ethical challenges.
Diverse Managing Committee Formed
The 16-member managing committee draws from print, digital, and broadcast backgrounds. Members include Niraj Kumar, Abhishek Kumar Singh, Jahanvi Sen, Ashok Kaushik, Kallol Bhattacharjee, Praveen Jain, Agraj Pratap Singh, Manoj Sharma, Nyanima Basu, P B Suresh, V P Pandey, Prem Bahukhandi, Sneha Bhura, Javed Akhtar, Rezaul Hasan Laskar, and Sunil Kumar.
A Milestone for Gender Representation
Pisharoty’s election marks a watershed moment for women in Indian media leadership. Her tenure begins as journalists nationwide navigate evolving newsroom dynamics, safety concerns, and ongoing debates around press autonomy. The new team has signaled commitments to institutional transparency and stronger advocacy for journalistic rights.
