NWMI Sounds Alarm over Weakening Editorial Independence, Calls for a Gender Sensitive Media Environment
The 20th National Meeting of the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI), held in Thiruvananthapuram from February 6 to 8, identified a number of trends that are fast eroding editorial independence and shaping public discourse in ways that delegitimise the voices and experiences of women and other marginalised sections. The meet called for more awareness and action to counter such influences in order to uphold the right of mediapersons, especially women, to work in a secure and gender sensitive environment, as well as the right of the public to verified and authentic news.
Around 150 media women from across India gathered for the meeting. The discussions centred on issues affecting reportage, the systematic and organised silencing of women on social media, the isolation of survivors of gender violence and the multiplier effects of media capture, wherein corporates and political parties with deep pockets consolidate ownership of media across languages, mediums and regions. One of the ripple effects of media capture is lack of employment security, with women being the hardest hit, many being forced into precarious work, including as freelancers.
The increasing promotion of a ‘manosphere’ and its influence on society, as well as the high visibility and disproportionate representation of men’s rights narratives in mainstream media, especially on prime time television, was flagged as an area of serious concern.
Women targeted on social media are often left to tackle these negative campaigns without adequate institutional or governmental support. The NWMI expresses deep concern over the organised attempts to discredit and silence women who speak up and thereby influence public discourse.
The meeting resolved to systematically study and engage more actively with the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism. Additionally, the proliferation of “influencers” and content creators on social media was discussed. While not advocating censorship or legal measures, the NWMI is certainly concerned about the unauthorised use of journalistic output, as well as blatant plagiarism, by many influencers. Participants at the meeting also flagged the need for fair and transparent guidelines on social media ethics and standards.
At the public meeting organised as part of the three-day programme, author KR Meera delivered the keynote address on the theme ‘Media at the Crossroads: Independence vs Influence’. She spoke about the alarming trends evident in the country over the past several years that stigmatise and target minority communities and undermine the Constitution of India. She called upon the media to be vigilant about these deeply troubling shifts that threaten to shape our collective thoughts and imagination in ways that go against the ethos of the Constitution. She also spoke about the need for male-dominated newsrooms to unlearn existing practices and to ground themselves in Constitutional law, gender sensitivity and minority rights.
Members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), who participated in a panel discussion during the public meet, reminded mediapersons that women in Kerala have always supported the organisation and its members’ efforts to make the film industry gender sensitive and safe for women.
Panel discussions were held for NWMI members over the course of the three days on the Gender Paradox in Kerala, the state’s unique Community Palliative Care System, AI, Reporting on Climate Change, and Reporting on Sexual Violence.
The NWMI meet concluded with a call to continue working towards a genuinely independent media that uphold the Constitutional rights of freedom of speech and expression. The network reiterated its support to survivors of gender violence and resolved to work towards gender sensitive media coverage that upholds social justice.
The Network of Women in Media, India
14 February 2026
