Digital Journalism Needs Integrity, WJAI Steering in Right Direction: Former Union Minister Ashwini Choubey
Digital Bharat Summit 2025: WJAI emerges as India’s first officially recognised SRB for digital media under the Ministry of I&B; summit highlights ethics, empowerment, and the future of digital journalism.
New Delhi, October 11, 2025 – In a landmark event that brought together the nation’s digital journalism fraternity, the Web Journalists Association of India (WJAI) successfully organised the “Digital Bharat Summit 2025” in the national capital. The event, hosted by WJAI’s Delhi Chapter in collaboration with Prime Time, took place at Radisson Blu Hotel, Dwarka Sector 13, and was attended by journalists, media experts, and distinguished personalities from various sectors.
The summit was attended by former Union Minister Ashwini Choubey and legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar as chief guests, lending prestige and inspiration to the gathering.
“Integrity Is the Soul of Journalism,” Says Ashwini Choubey. Addressing the delegates, Ashwini Choubey emphasised that digital journalism represents the new voice of democracy and must be guided by transparency, accountability, and moral integrity.
“Integrity is indispensable in journalism. WJAI has given digital journalists across India a powerful and credible platform. It is not merely fighting for rights but also securing the future of digital media in a rapidly changing information era,” said Choubey.
He lauded WJAI’s efforts in uniting web journalists across India and steering digital journalism toward a more ethical, professional, and socially responsible future.
WJAI Becomes India’s First Official SRB for Digital Media: In his presidential address, WJAI National President Anand Kaushal stated that the association is not only providing a platform to digital journalists but also building a strong institutional framework for digital media in India.
He noted that hundreds of digital news portals from across India are now affiliated with WJAI, which is committed to providing legal, ethical, and professional empowerment to journalists.
Awards, Recognition, and Dialogue on the Future of Media: The summit also featured an awards ceremony recognising individuals who have made outstanding contributions in journalism, education, health, tourism, PR, and public service.
Prominent personalities honored included Anand Kaushal (National President), Dr. Amit Ranjan (National General Secretary), Dr. Leena (National Vice President), Madhup Mani “Pikku” (National Secretary), Manjesh Kumar (Treasurer), Akbar Imam (Office Secretary), Chandan Kumar (National Secretary), Amit Shakher, G.D. Gyani (renowned mathematics educator), Bhaskar Jha (Media Communication & Marketing), Himanshu Gupta (PR professional), Amit Singh, Kunal Kumar (journalist), Rajeev Kumar (service sector), Santosh Kumar (journalism), Gautam Radheshyam Morarka (political and social work), Sumit Sharma, Roshan Kumar Srivastava (media & advertising business), Imran Khan, Pankaj Prasoon, Shailendra Jha, Ganpat Aryan, Santosh Jha, Vivek Yadav, and Rekha Karkoti, among others.
The discussion sessions during the summit revolved around the future of digital journalism, AI’s impact on media ethics, and the role of collective organisation in protecting journalists’ rights and dignity.
National Vice President Dr Leena, National General Secretary Dr Amit Ranjan, and other office bearers also shared their views on strengthening digital journalism as a credible and responsible medium in India’s media ecosystem.
National Executive Meeting and Future Plans: Before the summit, WJAI’s National Executive Meeting was held at Chhattisgarh Bhavan, New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Anand Kaushal. The meeting discussed organisational strategies, membership drives, and upcoming events.
It was announced that WJAI will host a grand “Web Media Conclave & Foundation Day Celebration” on December 27–28, 2025, in Bhagalpur, Bihar (Ang Pradesh). The event will feature discussions on digital media policy, regional journalism, and showcase the cultural heritage of Ang Pradesh.
Towards a Responsible Digital Media Future: Concluding the summit, WJAI reaffirmed its commitment to building a responsible, ethical, and inclusive digital media ecosystem. The organisation emphasised that its core mission is to unite digital journalists, ensure their legal and professional rights, and promote credible journalism that serves public interest.
With its growing presence across India, WJAI continues to strengthen its position as the national voice of digital journalists, shaping the next chapter in India’s media transformation.
