Danish Siddiqui Journalism Award Launched to Honour Impactful Journalism

The award celebrates exceptional journalists who embody courage, integrity, empathy, and truth through reporting.

Danish Siddiqui, a Pulitzer-winning photojournalist, was Chief Photographer and headed the Reuters multimedia team in India.

(Photo: Danish Siddiqui Foundation)

The Danish Siddiqui Foundation has announced the launch of the inaugural Danish Siddiqui Journalism Award for honouring impactful journalism. This prestigious annual award aims to recognise and celebrate exceptional journalists who embody the values of courage, integrity, empathy, and truth through their reporting.

A Tribute to Fearless Journalism

Danish Siddiqui, a Pulitzer-winning photojournalist, was Chief Photographer and headed the Reuters multimedia team in India. He was tragically killed in the line of duty while reporting from the frontlines in Kandahar, Afghanistan on 16 July 2021. Danish’s work, characterised by its powerful imagery and deep empathy, has left an indelible mark on the global media landscape. This award is a tribute to his dedication, courage, and commitment to truth-telling.

His images were not just news; they were stories that resonated with people around the world. Danish received his first Pulitzer in 2018 for documenting the Rohingya refugee crisis and another one, posthumously, in 2021 for COVID-19 pandemic work in India.

Speaking on the launch of the award, Prof. Akhtar Siddiqui, Foundation board member said “Danish believed that journalism was a bridge to humanity’s conscience, and its job was to be a mirror showing the truth as it is. By instituting this award, we want to recognise the valuable role of journalists in shaping our society and honour those who report from the front with the utmost sincerity and integrity.”

Award Details and Call for Submissions/Nominations

Open to Indian journalists including foreign correspondents based in India, the award honours impactful journalism across print, photojournalism, digital, and broadcast for stories published between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024. Submissions/nominations will be evaluated on criteria including relevance, impact, and ethical rigour with an emphasis on stories that present fresh perspectives and unique angles.

• Submission/Nomination Deadline: 31 March 2025

• Award Ceremony: 4 May 2025 in New Delhi

For more information about the award and how to apply please visit www.dsfasia.org/dsjaward.

Esteemed Jury Panel

The esteemed jury panel consists of distinguished journalists and experts:

• Rajdeep Sardesai, Senior Journalist & Author

• Vaishna Roy, Editor, Frontline

• Kishalay Bhattacharjee, Dean, Jindal School of Journalism and Communication

• Gabrielle Fonseca Johnson, South Asia Editor, Reuters Pictures

“I am honoured to be a part of a jury to decide on the awards that are being instituted in the name of Danish Siddiqui, a photojournalist, who in the truest sense of words, represented the best values of journalism. Danish with his ground reporting, with his photography stood for courage, he stood for truth, he stood for empathy. I would encourage all journalists out there to apply for the award and celebrate Danish’s legacy by doing the kind of meaningful, impactful work that we would like to honor and recognise,” said Rajdeep Sardesai, senior journalist and jury chair.

About the Danish Siddiqui Foundation

The Danish Siddiqui Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Danish Siddiqui by supporting and promoting excellence in journalism. The foundation aims to inspire and empower journalists through scholarships, mentorship, and various initiatives.