Vaishnavi Rathore of Scroll.in has received the IPI-India Award for Excellence in Journalism 2025 for her investigative reporting on the Great Nicobar port project. Her work highlighted environmental risks and threats to indigenous communities, reinforcing the role of independent journalism in safeguarding public interest and press freedom.
The International Press Institute (IPI) India Chapter has awarded the IPI-India Award for Excellence in Journalism, 2025 to Vaishnavi Rathore of Scroll.in, recognising her in-depth reporting on the Great Nicobar port project and its potential impact on fragile ecosystems and indigenous communities. The award, one of the most respected recognitions in Indian journalism, honours reporting that combines public interest, courage, and rigorous investigation at a time when such work is becoming increasingly challenging.
Announced through a press release dated December 29, 2025, the award acknowledges Rathore’s articles that examined how the proposed mega infrastructure project in Great Nicobar could irreversibly damage a unique ecological zone and threaten the survival, culture and rights of several endangered tribal communities. Her reporting drew attention not only to environmental consequences but also to the human cost of large-scale development projects, highlighting concerns that often remain at the margins of mainstream discourse.
The IPI-India Award for Excellence in Journalism carries a cash prize of ₹2 lakh, along with a trophy and a formal citation. Instituted in 2003, the award has over the years been conferred on 21 media organisations and journalists across print and electronic media, building a legacy of recognising journalism that serves the public interest and upholds democratic values. Rathore’s selection places her in a distinguished list of recipients whose work has shaped public debate and policy conversations.
The jury for the 2025 award was chaired by Justice Madan B Lokur, former judge of the Supreme Court of India, lending judicial gravitas to the selection process. The panel also included senior and widely respected figures from Indian media: Riyad Mathew, Chairman of IPI-India and Chief Associate Editor and Director of Malayala Manorama; Shobhaa De, eminent columnist and author; and Vijay Joshi, Editor-in-Chief of Press Trust of India. The jury considered multiple entries before selecting Rathore’s work, underscoring the competitive and discerning nature of the award.
Rathore’s reporting on the Great Nicobar project stood out for its depth, clarity and persistence. Her articles unpacked complex environmental assessments, legal clearances and policy decisions, translating them into accessible narratives for readers. By foregrounding the voices of indigenous communities and environmental experts, her work illuminated how development decisions taken far from the island could have profound and irreversible consequences on the ground. In doing so, she exemplified the role of journalism as a watchdog, particularly on issues where economic ambition, environmental sustainability and human rights collide.
The Great Nicobar project has been a subject of intense debate, with supporters citing strategic and economic benefits, while critics warn of ecological devastation and cultural erasure. Rathore’s work did not merely present opposing views but interrogated official claims, scrutinised documents and connected the dots between policy, profit and people. Such reporting, the IPI noted, aligns closely with the values the award seeks to promote.
The India Chapter of the International Press Institute functions as an active forum of editors, publishers and senior media executives from newspapers, magazines and news agencies across the country. Many of its members are also part of the global IPI network, which advocates press freedom and high journalistic standards worldwide. The India chapter has played a significant role in raising concerns related to freedom of the press, professional ethics and the safety of journalists, often speaking out on issues that affect the independence of media in the country.
Globally, the International Press Institute was founded 72 years ago in New York by a group of editors from 15 countries, at a time when the world was grappling with the aftermath of war and the need to safeguard democratic institutions. Over the decades, the organisation has grown into a truly international body committed to defending freedom of expression and promoting the free exchange of accurate and balanced news across borders. Headquartered in Vienna, IPI has consistently taken positions against restrictions on the free flow of information and has supported journalists facing threats, censorship or legal intimidation.
In India, where journalists increasingly operate under pressure from political, corporate and social forces, the significance of such awards goes beyond individual recognition. They serve as affirmations of the importance of independent, evidence-based reporting in a democratic society. By honouring work that exposes uncomfortable truths and amplifies marginalised voices, the IPI-India Award reinforces the idea that journalism’s primary allegiance is to the public.
For Scroll.in, Rathore’s award adds to the publication’s reputation for investigative and explanatory journalism that challenges power and centres public interest. For Rathore personally, it marks a milestone that acknowledges not just a single story or series, but a commitment to sustained, difficult reporting in remote and complex contexts.
The award also comes at a moment when environmental journalism in India is gaining urgency. As large infrastructure projects proliferate across ecologically sensitive regions, the need for careful, independent scrutiny has never been greater. Rathore’s work demonstrates how journalism can bridge the gap between technical assessments and lived realities, ensuring that development debates are informed by facts, empathy and accountability.
By selecting Vaishnavi Rathore for the 2025 award, the IPI India Chapter has sent a clear message about the kind of journalism it believes deserves recognition: journalism that is fearless, meticulous and rooted in the public good. In celebrating her reporting, the institute has reaffirmed its long-standing mission to safeguard press freedom and promote excellence in a rapidly changing and often hostile media environment.
Discover more from Creative Brands
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
