As the world's largest democracy, India has a thriving media landscape.
Sculpting the foundation of this landscape is an increasing number of exceptional female journalists who have unshakeable dedication towards giving a voice to the population.
Let's discuss some of the most famous female journalists in India who have been shaping the national narrative today.
Table of Contents
Top 9 Famous Female Journalists in India
The current inclusive and thriving media environment of Indian journalism that we witness today was largely a male-dominated field in the past.
Although traditional societal expectations confined women to domestic roles, a determined group of women defied such norms and set out to pave the way for themselves and future female aspirants.
Today, the nation is a stage for numerous passionate women journalists who are dedicated to presenting the truth to their fellow citizens.
They offer numerous viewpoints on a range of topics, be it societal issues or politics, making their presence play a crucial role in fostering a more educated and inclusive society.
Let's get to know eight famous female journalists in India:
Shaili Chopra
Besides being the founder of SheThePeople.TV, which is India's first platform aimed to represent stories of women, Shaili Chopra has worked with NDTV and ETNOW and has also authored four books.
In 2012, she was awarded the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Business Journalism.
Rana Ayyub
An independent journalist, Rana Ayyub is a Muslim journalist who works as a columnist for the Washington Post's Global Opinion section.
She has previously worked as an investigative journalist at a Delhi-based political news magazine named Tehelka.
Rana Ayyub primarily focuses on the political agendas and communitarian issues in India.
Her work has received both praise and criticism due to the sensitive nature of her investigations.
However, despite the severe backlash, she continues to expose corruption and publicize injustice, fearlessly staying committed to her role.
Faye D'Souza
After beginning her career in journalism with All India Radio, Faye D'Souza has undoubtedly become one of the most famous female journalists in India.
She won the RedInk Award for 'Journalist of the Year' in 2018 and rose to fame as the anchor for The Urban Debate on Mirror Now.
After ending her journey there in 2019, she began her independent channel and has tirelessly pointed out inaction by governmental figures over corruption and religious intolerance.
Vidya Munshi
Arguably, one of the first famous female journalists in India, the Late Vidya Mushi, worked in numerous newspapers and magazines. She was a strong activist, boldly joining the Indian communists in the UK.
After her return to India, she joined the Blitz weekly - a paper voicing opinions on government policy and excelling in investigative journalism.
For many aspiring female journalists in India, Vidya Munshi was an inspiring symbol of courage and bravery.
Mini Menon
Mini Menon is an Indian journalist, author, co-founder and editor of Live History India.
She was previously the executive editor of Bloomberg TV India, where she handled the news and feature shows and reported on political, economic, and business news.
She has won multiple awards for her work as a journalist and news anchor. Impact magazine named her one of the ten most influential women in Indian marketing, advertising, and media in 2013.
Madhu Trehan
As the founding editor of the news magazine India Today and co-founder of Newslaundry, Madhu Trehan began her journalism career in the press department of the UN.
In 1977, she handed over the stewardship of the company to her brother and went on to produce and anchor India's first video magazine, Newstrack, in 1986.
Patricia Mukhim
While her Padma Shri award is enough to speak for her, Patricia Mukhim is the editor of The Shillong Times and is prominent for her work as a social activist.
Her work on the socio-political milieu of Meghalaya has won her many other awards, such as the Chameli Devi Jain award, Federation of the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry FLO award, Upendra Nath Brahma Soldier of Humanity award, Siva Prasad Barooah National award, and the North East Excellence award.
Anupama Chopra
An Indian journalist, author, and film critic, Anupama Chopra is the founder and editor of Film Companion and director of the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.
She has written extensively on Bollywood since 1993 for international publications such as The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times.
She has also written the book King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and The Seductive World of Indian Cinema, which was featured on the annual "Editor's Choice" list of the New York Times Book Review.
Gauri Lankesh
Late Gauri Lankesh was a journalist and activist who passionately fought against caste-based discrimination, championed women's empowerment, and boldly spoke against religious extremism. She also began her weekly magazine, Gauri Lankesh Patrike.
She was assassinated on the 5th of September in 2017, which was strongly condemned by the government and the public.
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Conclusion
The dynamic landscape of media has a strong foundation for famous female journalists in India.
Once a largely male-dominated field, journalism now comprises several prominent females who have broken the glass ceiling and passionately give a voice to critical issues and shape the national narrative of India.
From bold investigative journalism to insightful anchoring, female journalists in India constantly remind us of the ongoing fight for equality and the power of a free press for a thriving democracy.
FAQs
Who is the most famous journalist in India?
One of the most famous female journalists in India is Faye D'Souza.
Who is the father of journalism in India?
James Augustus Hickey is known as the father of journalism in India.
Who is the Indian female anchor of CNN?
Anjali Rao is an Indian female anchor for CNN.
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