SSF literary fest concludes
The Sunni Students Federation concluded a four-day literary festival in Perinthalmanna that focused on media ethics, social issues, and the importance of independent journalism. Speakers emphasized the need for sustainable financial models in media to ensure democratic accountability.
Why it matters
Discussions on media independence and fact-checking are increasingly relevant in an era of digital misinformation and political polarization.
A four-day literary festival organised by the Sunni Students Federation (SSF) concluded at Perinthalmanna on Sunday (July 12, 2026). It hosted literary discussions, public debates, and cultural programmes centred on media, literature and contemporary social issues.
Addressing the inaugural session, Alt News co-founder Pratik Sinha called for independent media free from political and economic influence, saying such independence was essential to protect public interest and democratic accountability.
He said journalism needed sustainable financial models, including public-supported and crowd-funded initiatives, to reduce dependence on interests that could influence editorial decisions.
Highlighting the challenges posed by the rapid growth of digital platforms, Mr. Sinha said the abundance of online information had made fact-checking more important than ever.
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