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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline FEBRUARY 06, 2026 | The Indian Eye 30

Global Talent Shines at International

News Writing Competition 2026

Organizers emphasized that the competition’s value extends beyond cash awards and digital certificates.

The winning entries will be published on the official Indo-American Press Club website and shared with

international media partners, offering the young writers early exposure to professional publishing platforms

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
he Indo-American Press Club
(IAPC), in collaboration with
Tthe Global Indian Council
(GIC), has announced the winners of
the 2026 International Online News
Writing Competition, spotlighting
emerging journalistic talent from
across the United States, Canada,
and India.
The competition drew a strong
field of aspiring journalists who were
tested on their ability to report accu-
rately, ethically, and creatively under
intense deadline pressure. From this
diverse pool, three writers stood out
for transforming a complex and trag-
ic breaking-news scenario into com-
pelling, youth-focused human-inter-
est reports.
The contest was held on Satur-
day, January 17, and placed partic-
ipants in a simulated virtual news-
room environment. Contestants
were given a high-pressure break- the competition’s top honors were countability, and public safety. sibility, and the power of the written
ing-news assignment centered on a awarded to Dyuthi Susan Zachariah, The third prize of `10,001 word to inform, engage, and protect
fictional but realistic catastrophe—a a postgraduate student at Manipal (around $120) was awarded to Sud- society.”
New Year’s Eve fire at a Swiss night- Academy of Higher Education in hodip Chowdhury, a student writer Participants and winners were
club that claimed 40 lives. Working Bengaluru. She secured first place from West Bengal. Despite his young formally felicitated by Ginsmon
in a digitally proctored, “news-first” and a cash prize of `50,001 (approx- age, Chowdhury impressed the jury Zacharia, Founder Chairman of
setting, participants were required to imately $550). Judges praised her with a thoughtful and socially aware IAPC; Azad Jayan, National Pres-
produce a complete news report that ability to blend hard facts with emo- piece that demonstrated how jour- ident of IAPC; Sudhir Nambiar,
combined factual accuracy with anal- tional depth, noting that her prior ex- nalism can serve as a tool for public Global Secretary of GIC; and Santy
ysis of fire safety protocols and pre- perience as an intern with The Week education and advocacy. His work Mathew, Global PRO. The winners
vention strategies, viewed through a magazine contributed to a polished, was noted for its clarity, structure, will also be honored at a forthcoming
youth and public-safety lens. human-centric narrative that handled and potential to inform readers special meeting.
The event was inaugurated by the tragedy with sensitivity and clarity. about fire safety and prevention. With the conclusion of the 2026
senior leaders from both organiza- Second place went to Neba Anna Organizers emphasized that the competition, IAPC and GIC reaf-
tions, including P. C. Mathew, Global Thomas, an undergraduate student competition’s value extends beyond firmed their commitment to nurtur-
President of GIC; Dr. Matthew Joys, at the University of Kerala, who cash awards and digital certificates. ing the next generation of journal-
Vice Chairman of IAPC; Patricia received a prize of `30,001 (about The winning entries will be published ists. Organizers noted that even in a
Umasankar, Vice President of IAPC; $350). With experience working for on the official Indo-American Press simulated tragedy, the competition
and Shan Justus, General Secretary the Kerala State Government’s pub- Club website and shared with inter- demonstrated how responsible sto-
of IAPC. Organizers said the exercise lic relations department and multiple national media partners, offering the rytelling and ethical reporting can il-
was designed to mirror real-world news outlets, Thomas distinguished young writers early exposure to pro- luminate truth, amplify public aware-
newsroom conditions, where journal- herself through a report that empha- fessional publishing platforms. ness, and uphold the core values of
ists must balance speed with respon- sized the people behind the head- “This contest was not merely a journalism.
sibility, empathy, and public interest. lines. Judges highlighted her strong test of speed,” the organizing com- Report by Shan Justus, General
Following a rigorous evalua- focus on listening-driven journalism mittee said. “It was a celebration of Secretary, IAPC, and Sudhir Nambi-
tion by a professional judging panel, and her nuanced portrayal of loss, ac- ethical journalism, narrative respon- ar, Global General Secretary, GIC.

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