ICPA Calls for Nominations for Journalism and Media Awards - 2025

Kochi, July 17, 2025 — The Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), the premier national body of Catholic journalists and media institutions in India, has announced the call for nominations for its prestigious annual media awards. The awards will be conferred during the National Convention of Christian Journalists, scheduled to be held on September 20, 2025, at Jnana Deepa PG Block, Pune.

The ICPA Awards recognise excellence in journalism, publishing, and media production that upholds Christian and human values, justice, and integrity in public life.

Award Categories

Fr. Louis Careno Award – For outstanding Christian journalism in English or any recognised Indian language (except Hindi), highlighting courageous reporting and commitment to truth.

Swami Devanand Chakkungal Award – For exemplary journalism in Hindi by Christian individuals or institutions who have played a prophetic role in the field.

J. Maurus Award – For authors of inspirational, secular books (published between January and December 2024) that defend human rights, secularism, women’s rights, and Christian values. Books must be in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, or Telugu, and published by an established publisher (minimum 5 years’ experience). Self-published or multi-author edited works are not eligible.

James Alberione Award for Media Excellence – For directors, producers, or scriptwriters of films, documentaries, TV serials, or YouTube videos that promote Christian, social, and human values, especially concerning youth and the impact of media.

Procedure for Nomination

Any person may nominate an individual Christian journalist, publication, institution, author, director, producer, or scriptwriter engaged in media, publications, journalism, or mass communications. Self-nominations will not be entertained.

All nominations must include the following:

1. A recommendation letter from a person of repute in the field for the proposed candidate.

2. Resume of the candidate.

For the Louis Careno and Swami Devanand Chakkungal Awards, five latest published articles/news stories must be emailed to:

indiancatholicpress@gmail.com, ignatiusgon@yahoo.com, frsureshmathew@gmail.com

3. In the case of a periodical, a brief note on its achievements that merit the award.

4. In the case of a book for the J. Maurus Award, a copy of the book must be emailed to: sajithssp@gmail.com

5. In the case of a video for the James Alberione Award for Media Excellence, a link to the video must be sent to: sajithssp@gmail.com

6. Two passport-size photographs of the nominated candidate. For works in regional languages, the headlines/titles should be provided in English.

7. Contact details of the nominee must be included in the covering letter only, and not on the published copies.

Those who know individuals deserving of any of these awards are encouraged to initiate the nomination process by submitting the required documentation.

All entries must be sent via email to:

indiancatholicpress@gmail.com, ignatiusgon@yahoo.com, frsureshmathew@gmail.com, sajithssp@gmail.com

For more details, please contact:

President: Ignatius Gonsalves: (Mob: 9447964232) Email: ignatiusgon@yahoo.com

Suresh Mathew (Mob: 7042562963); E-mail: frsureshmathew@gmail.com

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