ICPA to Honour Senior Journalist Liz Mathew with Fr. Louis Careno Award

Bengaluru, August 2: The Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) has announced that senior journalist Liz Mathew, Deputy Editor of The Indian Express, will receive the prestigious Fr Louis Careno Award for Excellence in Journalism in recognition of her distinguished contribution to political reporting and public affairs over a career spanning nearly three decades.

The annual award, instituted jointly by the ICPA and the Mumbai Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco, honours outstanding journalists and institutions that demonstrate courage, integrity and commitment to truth in public service journalism. It commemorates the legacy of Fr Louis Careno, a Salesian missionary, writer and communicator.

With 29 years of experience in journalism, Liz Mathew has established herself as one of India's leading political correspondents, covering government policy, parliamentary affairs, elections and major national developments. She has reported from across the country and covered eight general elections between 1996 and 2024, in addition to Assembly elections in almost every state.

Liz Mathew began her career with Deepika, one of India's oldest Malayalam newspapers, before moving to English-language journalism in 1998 with the New Delhi bureau of India Abroad. She also worked with the publication's news service, which later evolved into the Indo Asian News Service (IANS).

Over the years, she has held editorial and reporting positions with several prominent media organisations, including California-based Newsroom, where she reported on religion, contributed to The Christian Science Monitor, worked in the international news division of Asian News International (ANI), and later joined Mint as Deputy Chief of its Political Bureau.

Since joining The Indian Express in 2014, Liz Mathew has emerged as one of the newspaper's leading political journalists, known for her incisive reporting and analysis. She writes the weekly column Capital Context, offering readers in-depth insights into political developments and the forces shaping Indian public life.

Her reporting has extended well beyond New Delhi. Besides chronicling political developments across India, Liz Mathew has covered several major international events, including the 35th G8 Summit in L'Aquila, Italy, the 2016 United States presidential election, and official overseas engagements involving Indian political leaders.

Beyond the newsroom, Liz Mathew is a familiar face on television discussions on national politics and regularly engages with students and young audiences, encouraging informed understanding of public affairs and democratic processes.

Liz Mathew's selection reflects her longstanding contribution to mainstream political journalism and her consistent engagement with issues of governance, public policy and democratic accountability. Her career, spanning regional-language journalism, news agencies, national newspapers and digital media, mirrors the evolution of Indian journalism over the past three decades.

The award also places her among an eminent group of previous recipients, including journalist and human rights activist John Dayal, veteran editor Jose Kavi, Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil, and Jesuit priest and human rights advocate Fr Cedric Prakash SJ, all recognised for their contributions to truth, justice, peace and responsible public communication.

By honouring Liz Mathew, the ICPA has reaffirmed the importance of credible and professional journalism at a time when public discourse is increasingly influenced by rapid digital communication, political polarisation and competing narratives.

The Fr Louis Careno Award remains one of the ICPA's highest recognitions for journalistic excellence, celebrating individuals whose work strengthens informed public debate and advances the enduring values of truth, justice and public service.

By Catholic Connect Reporter