In a proud moment for Gujarat’s media landscape, Dixit Soni, Editor of Zee Media’s Gujarati news channel Zee 24 Kalak, has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Devarshi Narad Patrakar Sanman’, one of India’s most respected journalism awards. Presented annually by ‘Vishwa Samvad Kendra’, Gujarat, the award recognises fearless, values-driven, and impactful contributions in the field of media.

As stated in a press release issued by Zee Media, the award ceremony took place at the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat University. Alongside Soni, other distinguished journalists including Krishnakant Undhkat, Manoj Kariya, Parag Dave, and RJ Pooja were also felicitated for their contributions to journalism and media engagement.

Dixit Soni, who began his journalism career in 1996, has built a formidable reputation over nearly three decades. Prior to joining Zee 24 Kalak in 2019, he served at prominent news outlets like Sahara Samay, GSTV, and ABP. Since taking over the editorial helm at Zee 24 Kalak, Soni has guided the channel to greater credibility, marked by a renewed focus on citizen-centric and ground-level reporting, making it one of Gujarat’s most trusted regional news platforms.

Over the years, Soni has reported from the frontlines of some of Gujarat’s most defining moments—ranging from natural calamities like floods and earthquakes to sensitive socio-political incidents, including communal unrest and the COVID-19 crisis. His commitment to ethical journalism has won him widespread public appreciation and notable honours, including the Acharya Tulsi Award in 2023 for ethical journalism and the ENBA Award for Best Western Region in 2021–22. Currently, he also serves as Vice President of the Gujarat Media Club, where he plays a significant role in fostering media development and journalistic integrity.

Speaking on receiving the award, Dixit Soni said, “This award is a humbling moment in my career. It reminds me why I entered journalism nearly three decades ago—to give voice to the unheard, to bring truth to the forefront, and to challenge the status quo when needed. I dedicate this honour to all field reporters and editorial teams who continue to work against all odds to uphold the integrity of journalism. At Zee 24 Kalak, we will continue to serve the people of Gujarat with fact-driven, citizen-focused reporting.”

Karan Abhishek Singh, CEO of Zee Media Corporation Limited, also extended his congratulations, saying, “At ZMCL, we’ve always believed that journalism is not just about breaking news—it’s about building credibility, accountability, and nationhood. Dixit Soni has upheld this philosophy with integrity and excellence. His journey, from covering ground-zero crisis to leading one of Gujarat’s most trusted newsrooms, represents what responsible media should aspire to be. This award rightfully celebrates his courage, ethics, and outstanding contribution to regional journalism.”

As Dixit Soni joins the ranks of Gujarat’s most admired journalists to receive this notable honour, Zee 24 Kalak and the larger Zee Media family mark the occasion as a significant milestone in the pursuit of journalistic excellence.