The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), a Washington DC-based advocacy group, is calling on journalists of any nationality who have reported on the human rights and religious freedom issues in India to apply for the Human Rights and Religious Freedom Journalism (HRRF) Awards, which aim to recognise outstanding stories that delve into human rights issues and the lived experiences of religious minorities and marginalised communities in India.
The awards seek to honour journalists whose work meets the highest standards of reporting, who have shed light on overlooked issues, offered fresh perspectives on familiar topics, and challenged stereotypes about marginalised groups. This initiative highlights the importance of high-quality journalism in bringing attention to critical issues and promoting a deeper understanding of diverse communities.
The awards are available in six different categories, such as: Best Text Reporting on Human Rights and Religious Freedom in English, Hindi, and Urdu; Best Video Story on Human Rights and Religious Freedom; Best Story on Human Solidarity, and HRRF Young Journalist of the Year Award 2025. Eligible submissions must have been published between June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2025, in newspapers, magazines, or accredited news websites (personal blogs are not accepted). Journalists may enter single pieces or series in any of six categories.
These categories collectively highlight and celebrate the diverse and impactful work being done in human rights and religious freedom journalism, encouraging journalists to continue their important contributions to these critical issues.
Entries are welcome online at the HRRF Awards portal from June 25 until July 25 2025, (11 PM IST), with no submission fees required. Winners will be honoured at a gala ceremony in Chicago, United States, in August 2025, where they will join a distinguished community of past laureates whose work has shaped human rights discourse. Aspiring entrants are encouraged to review category‑specific requirements carefully before submitting, as changes cannot be made once an entry is received.
For more details, please visit the official awards page at https://hrrfjawards.com/awards/, and to apply, visit the application page.
