The 18th Indian Journalism Festival will take place from October 2 to 4, 2026, in Indore, bringing together over 150 media professionals to discuss contemporary issues in journalism.
Indore, October 1, 2026 – The 18th edition of the Indian Journalism Festival is set to begin on Friday, October 2, at the Jaal Sabhagruh in South Tukoganj, Indore. Organized by the State Press Club of Madhya Pradesh, the three-day event is expected to attract more than 150 journalists and media professionals from across the country, focusing on the evolving landscape of print, electronic, and digital media.
This year, the festival is dedicated to the “Saptarishis” (seven icons) of Hindi journalism, honoring the contributions of notable figures such as Rahul Barpute, Rajendra Mathur, Prabhash Joshi, Manikchandra Vajpayee, Rameshchandra Agarwal, Abhay Chhajlani, and Krishnakumar Ashtana. The overarching theme of the festival will center around Generation Z, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by this demographic within the media landscape.
Festival Coordinator Sudesh Tiwari, along with Program Director and State Press Club MP President Praveen Khariwal, announced the event’s schedule, which features a variety of sessions, masterclasses, and panel discussions aimed at engaging both seasoned journalists and emerging media professionals.
Key Highlights & Schedule
The festival will kick off on Day 1, Friday, October 2, at 10:30 AM with a grand inauguration followed by an opening session titled “Suno Sarkar – Dialogue with Gen-Z.” This interactive session will provide a platform for young attendees to engage with prominent figures in the media.
Later that day at 3:00 PM, a masterclass on Print Media will delve into the current state and future of print journalism. The first day will conclude with a thought-provoking panel discussion at 5:00 PM on the topic of “Hired Intellect – Under Control or Helpless?”
Day 2, Saturday, October 3, will begin at 10:30 AM with a session entitled “Politics: Turning Left and Right,” examining the shifting political narratives in India. Following this, at 3:00 PM, a masterclass on “Digital Media in the New Era” will explore the rapid advancements in digital journalism. The day will wrap up with a panel discussion at 5:00 PM titled “How Far the Race of Ashwamedh?” which will likely address contemporary issues in political reporting.
On the final day, Sunday, October 4, the festival will feature a session at 10:30 AM on “Gen-Z Outside the Classroom,” focusing on informal education and media literacy among young people. This will be followed by another masterclass at 3:00 PM, “Masters of Journalism,” which will highlight best practices and innovations in the field. The festival will conclude with a valedictory session discussing the “Importance of Linguistic and Regional Journalism” at 5:00 PM.
Awards and Recognitions
As part of the festival, several prestigious awards will be presented. The Saptarishi Lifetime Achievement Award will be bestowed upon senior editor Devpriya Awasthi, recognizing her significant contributions to the field of journalism. This award is established in memory of the esteemed literary figure and poet Late Naresh Mehta.
The festival will also celebrate excellence in journalism with the Saptarishi National Journalism Awards. This year’s honorees include notable journalists such as Hardik Vikas Dave from Zee News, Tejashree Purandare from NDTV, Pankaj Wankhede from News India, and several others from various media outlets.
Additionally, the Saptarishi State Journalism Awards will recognize local journalists for their outstanding contributions, with awardees including Girish Upadhyay, Prakash Bhatnagar, and Sharad Dwivedi among others.
Additional Activities and Exhibitions
The festival will also feature a photo and cartoon exhibition showcasing 75 award-winning international photographs captured by 25 photographers from Indore. This exhibition aims to highlight the artistic side of journalism and its ability to convey powerful messages through visuals. A specially published coffee-table book will accompany the exhibition, providing further context to the displayed works.
Furthermore, cartoons based on Gen-Z themes, created by ten prominent national cartoonists, will be featured, offering a humorous yet critical perspective on current societal trends.
The festival is open to students, researchers, and the general public, fostering an inclusive environment for dialogue and discussion about the future of journalism.
Federation of Press Clubs National Meeting
On the final day, October 4, the national executive committee meeting of the Federation of Press Clubs will also be held in Indore. Senior journalist Gautam Lahiri will preside over the meeting, which will gather presidents and general secretaries of major press clubs from across India, aiming to discuss and address pressing issues within the journalistic community.
