Democratic Press Club
Democratic Press Club is a professional media organization committed to protecting press freedom, promoting ethical journalism, and supporting media professionals across the country.
Democratic Press Club
Democratic Press Club is one of the world’s leading social organizations for journalists, dedicated to strengthening unity, awareness, and cooperation within the media community.
The club serves journalists by promoting professional growth, ethical journalism, and collaboration across print, electronic, digital, and social media platforms. Through its strong peer network and social activities, Democratic Press Club has built a significant media community in India and across the globe.
Headquartered in the heart of India’s capital at Press Lane, Central Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi, the club is strategically located near major political institutions, government offices, and information centers. This central location enables effective engagement with institutions that shape democratic discourse and media activity.
Founded in 2019, the idea of establishing Democratic Press Club was envisioned by senior journalist and INN Today Group Editor-in-Chief Dr. Fareed Chughtai. The initiative was brought to life through the efforts of senior journalist Saeed Ahmad, Editor of Webvarta, along with experienced media professionals and Press Council members from across the country.
Journalists from different regions of India continue to join the organization to fulfill its objectives of protecting press freedom and promoting responsible media practices. Membership is open to professionals from print, electronic, web portals, blogging, and social media platforms through a fixed subscription fee.
Founders & Vision
Democratic Press Club was founded with a clear vision to strengthen journalism and protect press freedom through unity and cooperation.
The idea of establishing the Democratic Press Club was conceived by senior journalist and INN Today Group Editor-in-Chief Dr. Fareed Chughtai. This vision was brought into reality through the dedicated efforts of senior journalist Saeed Ahmad, Editor of Webvarta, along with experienced media professionals and Press Council members from across the country.
Registered in the year 2019, the club continues to grow as journalists from different regions of India join to fulfill its objectives of responsible journalism, media unity, and democratic values.
Dr. Fareed Chughtai
Editor – INN Today
Dr. Fareed Chughtai is a senior journalist, editor, social worker, and philanthropist with decades of experience in journalism, public affairs, and education. He is a graduate of Kanpur University, Adeeb-e-Kamil from Jamia Adeeb Board, Aligarh Muslim University, and an MBEH degree holder from Lucknow.
He is an accredited journalist with the Press Information Bureau, Government of India, and has served with various news organizations. Currently, he is the Editor of INN Today and Qaumi Aaghaz, and is associated with the National Media Club, Press Association, and Urdu Press Club.
Dr. Chughtai has served as the Inspecting Authority of the Maulana Azad Educational Foundation, an autonomous body of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. He has also held the position of National Observer of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation and Member of Hindi Rajbhasha in the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Apart from journalism, he has contributed significantly to the field of education and served as the Principal of Zikra Public School, Farrukhabad. Presently, he is the Political Advisor to former social legislator Mrs. Louise Khurshid and Press Secretary to former Union Minister Mr. Salman Khurshid.
Dr. Fareed Chughtai has received numerous honors, including the Best Journalist Award from former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the 1996 Hindi Literature Conference. He was also awarded Best Writer at the Farrukhabad Festival (1998) and honored as Best Social Worker by Japan’s Adhyatik Sahcharya Sanstha.
Born into a family deeply rooted in literature and social service, Dr. Chughtai inherited a love for national literature from his father, Mr. Mustaqeem Beg Chughtai, a poet and Urdu writer, and his uncle Maulana Hafeezur Rahman Mujibi, a freedom fighter, poet, and writer. He continues to work actively as a social worker and philanthropist.
“Journalism is not merely a profession, it is a responsibility towards democracy, society, and national integrity. Democratic Press Club was founded to unite journalists, protect press freedom, and uphold ethical values in media.”
— Dr. Fareed Chughtai
Founders & Core Team
Saeed Ahmad
Senior Journalist • Editor, Webvarta
Senior journalist and media professional who played a key role in bringing the vision of Democratic Press Club into reality.
Ashok Navratna
Senior Journalist • Press Council Member
Veteran journalist and Press Council member contributing to media ethics and institutional guidance.
Sanjay Sharma
Senior Journalist
Actively involved in strengthening media unity and organizational development.
Amar Nath Tiwari
Senior Journalist
Contributing to journalistic integrity and professional growth.
BP Gaur
Senior Journalist
Experienced journalist supporting institutional media values.
Praveen Mathur
Senior Journalist
Supporting media cooperation and organizational outreach.
Founded
2019Headquarters
New Delhi, IndiaMembers
Journalists NationwideMedia Platforms
Print • Electronic • DigitalMembership Application
Journalists and media professionals from print, electronic, digital, web portals, blogging, and social media platforms are welcome to become members of Democratic Press Club.
- ✔ Open to journalists across India
- ✔ Fixed and affordable membership fee
- ✔ Professional networking & media support
Members Directory
Member Name
Journalist – DelhiMember Name
Digital Media – MumbaiMember Name
Electronic Media – LucknowGallery & Events
Moments from meetings, discussions, workshops, and activities organized by Democratic Press Club.