Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | July 19, 2026

The Press Club Must Be the Winner in the upcoming elections. As we approach a crucial turning point for our community, it is time to look beyond the immediate noise and remember the true spirit of our institution.

In 1987, when I first walked into the Press Club, it was a whole new world for me. As a rookie journalist, I found myself welcomed to tables where seasoned veterans rubbed shoulders with newcomers as though we had all been classmates for years.

The Press Club was a humble abode back then. We would dive in and dive out, sometimes at odd hours, often dropping by in between press conferences before rushing back to the office to put the paper to bed. It was our go-to place for comfort and calm. During the monsoons, rain would drum relentlessly on the tin roof while, inside, a bottle of Old Monk was often the usual companion on the table.

The staff were family. We knew each other by name. There was an understated respect between us. It was never us above them; it was always us together. We even played cricket together.

Over the years, many of those veterans passed away. Others drifted away from journalism. Yet, the warm feeling of the place never faded. Many of the familiar faces who looked after us remained, making every visit feel like coming home.

The Press Club itself underwent an impressive transformation… and for the better. It became more comfortable, more modern, and a place we were proud to bring our guests.

A Cauldron of Bitterness: Press Club Must Be The Winner

Of late, however, something much more important has changed. The Press Club has become a cauldron of bitterness. Managing Committee versus Members. Cases in court. Bruised egos. Committees are unable to rein in their own colleagues or simply let bygones be bygones.

We are a brotherhood. We are meant to stand up for one another. When did we start drawing daggers against each other? We are, after all, the Fourth Estate, one of the pillars of democracy. I’m not even going to enter the debate about what journalism itself has become. What saddens me is that this once-homely place has turned into a battlefield, where elections are being fought with the same venom we see in state politics.

Those elected have a responsibility to restore sanity. If there are differences, resolve them. The Club must always be the winner, not individual egos.

The 9 A.M. Question

Take, for instance, the AGM scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on July 24, 2026. If you ask me, that’s an unearthly hour for journalists. Many of us work late into the night, live in the suburbs, and only get home in the early hours of the morning.

Many members believe the timing is intended to keep attendance low. Fewer members imply fewer uncomfortable questions. But since when have journalists been afraid of uncomfortable questions? Aren’t we the ones who prod, probe and ask the difficult questions? Isn’t that what defines us?

Holding Ourselves to Our Own Standards

Whoever forms the next Managing Committee must remember one simple truth: we are here to serve, not to throw our weight around. Leadership must be rooted in integrity, honesty and accountability. After all, if we demand those qualities from everyone else, shouldn’t we hold ourselves to the very same standards?

My sincere plea is this: turn out in large numbers on election day and vote.

To everyone contesting these elections, thank you for stepping forward. But also remind yourselves why you are doing it. It must be for the betterment of the Club and its members, not for personal ambition or to sit silently on the fence. If a fellow MC member is out of line, correct them. Counsel them. Bring them back on track. Make them see sense.

Likewise, if an ordinary member crosses the line, start with dialogue. Don’t make the courtroom the first resort. Let’s bring back the glory days.

Let’s also involve members who want to contribute, even if they aren’t on the Managing Committee. Let’s share ideas, harness talent, work together, and make the Press Club feel like home once again. A place where we can drop in for a mug of chilled beer, a peg of Old Monk, or simply for a sip of garam chai.

Burying the Hatchet on July 24

On July 24, let’s bury the hatchet. Let us stop running down candidates standing for elections. If someone intends to bring about change, let them do so without others tarnishing their image. The members just want peace and quiet without the razzmatazz of a bitter, political-party-like election.

And perhaps, forty years from now, a young journalist will write about this place with the same affection that I do today… forty years after I first stepped in.

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