Journalism is the fourth pillar of democracy and journalists are the custodians of truth. Of late, India has seen a rise in independent journalism since it plays a crucial role in India's current media landscape. Devoid of association with prominent media groups, independent journalists present news without any bias.
The country today is home to several fiery independent woman journalists who are at the forefront of bringing the truth to their countrymen. Independent women journalists in India offer diverse perspectives, focus on gender-related issues, break stereotypes, bring out women's voices to society, point out the higher authorities if accountable, and contribute to media dynamics. Their presence is essential for fostering a more informed, inclusive, and equitable society.
Be it Faye D’Souza’s well-informed yet passionate crusade with ‘nothing but the truth’ to Anubha Bhosle’s platform NewsWorthy with AB, women journalists have been influential voices of change.
Let’s get to know seven powerful women journalists who have carved a niche for themselves as independent media personalities.
Faye D'Souza
In the field of independent and fearless journalism, Faye D'Souza is a popular face. She is also an Indian journalist and television anchor. Faye D'Souza is recognized for her bold and outspoken style of journalism, often addressing social and political issues with a focus on accountability and justice. As an Executive Editor of Mirror Now, she gained an immense reputation for questioning social norms, addressing social issues, and promoting justice and accountability. She is renowned for her commitment to fact-checking and editorial independence. She aims on providing accurate and verified information to the audience. The works of Faye also have demonstrated a strong focus on gender equality and women's empowerment.
Barkha Dutt
Indian author, television, and now an independent journalist, Barkha Dutt is widely popular for her anchoring on Tiranga TV and NDTV. She currently operates her news channel a digital platform called "MoJo Story". She also pens down her personal opinions about any societal issue for The Washington Post and The Hindustan Times.
The renowned journalist worked for NDTV for 21 years before leaving the organization in January 2017. The most important news coverage that brought Barkha Dutt into the limelight was the 1999 Kargil Conflict between India and Pakistan from the front lines. She has received numerous national and international honors, including India's fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri.
Rana Ayyub
Rana Ayyub is an independent journalist and works as a columnist at the Washington Post in the section of Global Opinions. Rana has previously worked at a political news magazine named Tehelka which is based in Delhi. She worked there as an investigative journalist, and her major task was to execute a sting operation that served as the basis for her book Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover-Up.
Rana is majorly focused on the political agendas and communitarian conflicts in India. She is known for her fearless approach to reporting and her commitment to exposing corruption and injustice. Her works have been both praised and criticized, she has even received backlash and threats due to the sensitive nature of her investigations.
Priya Ramani
Priya Ramani is an Indian journalist, editor, and writer known for her works on gender issues and women's rights. Priya came into the limelight during the #MeToo movement in India when she accused former journalist cum editor who was also the former Union Minister M.J. Akbar of sexual harassment. She even mentioned this incident in an article for Vogue India in October 2018 without directly accusing the person. However, later she tweeted about the person to whom she had referred in the article.
As an independent journalist, she has covered various topics about social issues, gender, and culture. Her works often address the experiences and challenges faced by women in India.
Swati Chaturvedi
Widely popular for investigative journalism, Swati Chaturvedi is an Indian female journalist and also an author. Her works are majorly focused on politics, corruption, and the intersection of politics and business in India. Swati is active on social media platforms where she regularly posts her personal opinions and insights on current events. She has covered various topics about politics, government, and social problems.
Apart from being an active journalist, Swati is also popular for her books. As an author she has published two books namely Daddy's Girl and I Am a Troll: Inside the Secret World of the BJP's Digital Army. The second book mentions the online abuse and harassment faced by journalists, activists, and critics of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India.
Rohini Mohan
Indian journalist and author Rohini Mohan is well known for her works on political, social, and human rights issues in South Asia. She has extensively worked on the subjects like conflict, displacement, and communal violence. Her book, "The Seasons of Trouble: Life Amid the Ruins of Sri Lanka's Civil War," is among the most well-known works. In this book, she majorly focused on the effects of the Sri Lankan civil war's aftermath on those who were personally impacted by the conflict. Swati aims at highlights the struggles and stories of marginalized communities. She is renowned for her compassionate storytelling and in-depth reporting.
Anubha Bhonsle
Anubha Bhonsle is an independent journalist and author from India who specializes in social issues reporting and investigative reporting. She has written about a variety of subjects such as crime, gender-based violence, human trafficking, and women's rights. Anubha has worked with several media organizations such as CNN-News18 and Times Now, where she was praised for her in-depth reporting and analysis. She has covered prominent cases and spoken with important stakeholders to raise awareness of pressing societal issues. Now, Anubha is an entrepreneur and the founder of Newsworthy. Studio where she and her team work on rights, women’s leadership, access, and financial inclusion.
