Editors Club of India (ECI) National Mission Manifesto
A Charter of Commitment to the Future of Indian Editorial Leadership

1. National Protection of Editorial Freedom
(National Editorial Independence Shield)

The Editors Club of India declares that full editorial independence for every editor in India is a constitutional right and a democratic imperative. This manifesto reaffirms the commitment to establish a strong national protection mechanism to keep journalism free from all forms of institutional, political, corporate, or external interference.

ECI will treat pressure, censorship, blackmail, or direct and indirect suppression of editorial decisions as an attack on the fourth pillar of democracy and will organize collective resistance against it. Our objective is to build an India where editorial independence is not merely an ideal, but a nationally enforced and practiced standard.

2. National Battle Against Fake News, Propaganda, and Disinformation
(National War on Disinformation)

In the digital age, misinformation is one of the greatest threats to democracy. To address this challenge, ECI commits to establishing a National Anti-Disinformation Command Centre, which will provide:
● AI-enabled fact-checking systems
● Authentic verification protocols
● Real-time assistance for editors
This centre will analyze active disinformation networks across print, digital, television, and social media platforms, publish regular reports, and ensure a fact-based media environment for citizens.

3. Editors’ Safety and Legal Protection Mission
(Editors Protection and Legal Security Act Movement)

In many parts of the country, attacks on editors, threats, misuse of FIRs, and institutional harassment are increasing. ECI considers this unacceptable and formally demands an Editors Protection Act, with the following provisions:
● Declaration of attacks on editors as cognizable offences
● Fast-track investigation in such cases
● Restrictions on misuse of FIRs
● Appointment of special prosecutors
● Anti-intimidation provisions
● Complete prohibition of retaliatory actions
This mission will be a historic step toward providing legal protection to media freedom.

4. Media Policy Reforms
(Media Policy Reforms – A National Framework for Transparent & Accountable Media Governance)

India’s media ecosystem has long suffered from policy ambiguity and regulatory imbalance. ECI will develop a comprehensive Media Policy Reform Framework, which will include:
● National standards for press freedom
● A clear policy for digital media
● Balanced dialogue between regulators and the media
● Transparency in government advertising
● Accountability structures within media institutions
This framework will define the future direction of media governance in India.

5. National Editors’ Leadership & Capacity Building Academy
Progressive editorial leadership is essential for a progressive nation. ECI will establish a national academy to provide world-class training in:
● Editorial leadership
● Media ethics
● Digital journalism
● Fact-checking techniques
● AI tools
● Crisis reporting
● Newsroom management
This academy will lay a strong foundation for the future of editorial leadership.

6. National Programme for Digital Journalism Modernization
(Digital Newsroom Modernization Mission)

Recognizing the power of digital media, ECI will launch a comprehensive modernization campaign to provide member media organizations with:
● AI-enabled newsroom tools
● Data journalism infrastructure
● Advanced verification technologies
● Disaster and conflict reporting protocols
● Cyber security systems

7. National Institutional Platform for Government–Media Dialogue
(Government–Media Institutional Dialogue Forum)

A healthy democracy requires transparent dialogue between the government and the media. ECI will establish a permanent platform for regular and structured dialogue on:
● Policy-making
● Press freedom
● Media challenges
● Citizens’ rights

8. National Campaign for Empowerment of Regional & Rural Editors
(Campaign for Empowerment of Regional & Rural Editors)

The true voice of India emerges from small towns, districts, and rural areas, yet editors there face severe resource constraints. ECI will bridge this gap through:
● Training
● Technical support
● National-level networking
● Equal access to resources
This campaign will be a historic initiative to integrate rural media into the national mainstream.

9. Editors’ Legal Support Cell
ECI will establish a 24×7 Legal Support Cell to provide editors with:
● Legal consultation
● Documentation assistance
● Emergency support
● A nationwide network of advocates

10. National Media Ethics & Accountability Charter
ECI acknowledges that journalism is not only a right, but a national responsibility. This charter will declare the following values as the highest editorial standards:
● Truth
● Impartiality
● Sensitivity
● Accountability
● Public interest

11. National Commitment of Editorial Leadership to Democracy, Civil Rights & Social Justice
(National Commitment to Editorial Leadership for Democracy, Civil Rights & Social Justice)

Editors are not merely managers of news; they are guardians of democratic consciousness. ECI commits that, by giving equal importance to every citizen, every voice, and every region of India, the media will uphold as its core pillars:
● Freedom of expression
● Civil rights
● Social justice
● An unbiased perspective