C R Irani

Cushrow Russi Irani was a prominent Indian journalist and the editor-in-chief of The Statesman. Over an illustrious career, he held a number of posts including Chairman of the Press Trust of India. Irani was widely admired for his criticism and staunch opposition against Indira Gandhi's policy of press censorship during the state of emergency proclaimed in 1975.

In his tribute after Irani's passing away, then Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh said on July 24, 2005: "Irani was among the tallest of our journalists. He was a distinguished editor, a learned commentator on political, judicial and social issues, an institution builder, a leader in his profession and, above all, a truly secular nationalist.

"He was passionately committed to the welfare of our people and the progress of our Nation. He upheld the finest values in journalism. In his popular column "Caveat" he wrote without fear or favour and earned for himself and his newspaper an enviable place in the Indian media world. As chairman of the Press Trust of India he helped invigorate this organization at a time when it was forced to face the challenge of competition at home and abroad. His expertise in constitutional matters helped the country when he was made member of the Constitution Review Commission.

"I will truly miss Irani and his columns. Indian journalism will miss the quite yet firm leadership of a great editor. I convey my sincere condolences to his family, his friends and his colleagues at the Statesman."

The Statesman, of which he was also the Managing Director, was among very few newspapers to defy censors during the Emergency. Mr. Irani was known as a fierce defender of press freedoms for criticizing government censorship rules in the 1970's during the Emergency. He published blank spaces in The Statesman where reports or photos had been barred.

Cushrow Russi Irani, born in 1931, was the chairman of Press Trust of India (PTI) for two terms, and a member of PTI Board for two decades till his death.

Mr. Irani's contribution to the growth of the press was immense, PTI chairman Philip Mathew said.

A distinguished leader in the media world, Irani was the first Indian to be chairman of the International Press Institute in 1980 and 1981. He was again re-elected in 1990.

Irani was also vice-president of the World Press Freedom Committee, the apex body of press freedom organisations all over the world and a member of UNESCO's advisory group on press freedom. He was on the board of the International Press Institute (IPI).

...
Wikipedia