Tributes to Urdu journalism mark Naseem Arifi Media Awards 2025
The CETI Foundation honoured journalists from across the country at the Naseem Arifi Media Awards 2025 in Hyderabad. Speakers highlighted the contribution of Urdu journalism, concerns over mainstream media credibility, and the need to preserve the legacy of Urdu media.
Hyderabad: The Naseem Arifi Media Awards 2025, instituted by the CETI Foundation in memory of veteran journalist Naseem Arifi, honoured journalists from across the country for their contribution to Urdu journalism and commitment to truth and democratic values.
Senior journalist Masoom Muradabadi, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, expressed concern over the declining credibility of mainstream media. “Media began as a mission, later became a profession, and today, in many cases, it has become commission,” he remarked.
He said social media had emerged as an important alternative platform, helping people distinguish between real and fake news. Paying rich tributes to Naseem Arifi, Muradabadi said that had he been associated with the English press, he would have become a nationally celebrated figure.
Former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ausaf Sayeed complimented Urdu journalists for continuing to work tirelessly despite shrinking readership and limited patronage. He said honouring Urdu journalists was, in fact, “a way of paying back the loan due to them” for their immense services to society and the nation.
Chairman of the Telangana Media Academy Srinivas Reddy also addressed the gathering, and a monograph on Naseem Arifi, brought out by the Academy, was released on the occasion.
Prof. Ehtesham Ahmed Khan of Maulana Azad National Urdu University said the university had introduced a filmmaking course in Urdu. In an engaging speech enriched with Urdu couplets and literary references, Prof. Amir Ullah Khan, Member, TPSC, explained the objectives of the awards.
Earlier, Syed Basharar Ali, founder of the CETI Foundation, said the awards were aimed at recognising the invaluable contribution of Urdu journalists and preserving the rich legacy of Urdu media.
The awards were presented to photojournalist Muhammad Aleemuddin, Fazal Baig (Etemaad), Dr. Yameen Ansari (Inquilab) and Rohinee Singh. Senior journalist Syed Amin Jafri and Gawah Editor Dr. Fazil Husain Parvez were also felicitated.