In a post-truth world where news is often reduced to a narrative, journalistic integrity is a non-negotiable virtue that prevents society from collapsing. Journalism that uncompromisingly tells the truth has repeatedly proven that it preserves the fabric of a modern democracy.
In India, women have made monumental contributions to news and media that often go unrecognized. In particular, 2025 has been a phenomenal year for Indian women in journalism and as the year comes to an end, it is important to recognize this information revolution that is keeping journalism alive through its honesty, integrity and a never-back-down attitude.
Here is an extensive (but not all-inclusive) list of Indian women who have paved the way for authenticity in journalism through powerful, evidence-based storytelling, often as allies to the less powerful in 2025.
1. Vaishnavi Rathore
Source: Scroll
Vaishanavi Rathore is mainly associated with Scroll.in. Her journalism focuses on climate change, particularly bringing to light the impacts of climate change on women and minorities. Vaishanvi’s investigative piece on the Great Nicobar Island Development Project foregrounds the voices of local people on the islands and highlights the Shompen tribe, who face existential risk as a result of the project. Through her research and vivid storytelling, Vaishanvi draws attention to the human and environmental costs of development. Her compelling work was recognized with the Danish Siddiqui Journalism Award (Print/Digital) for 2025.
Vaishanvi’s writings focus on the overarching climate issue that is central to today’s world and often overlooked due to political interests disguised as development. By reporting on an issue that directly affects every individual, Vaishnavi sets an inspiring example of journalism that seeks to have a positive impact on the world we live in.
By reporting on an issue that directly affects every individual, Vaishnavi sets an inspiring example of journalism that seeks to have a positive impact on the world we live in.
Vaishanvi’s piece can be found under this link.
2. Sagrika Kissu
Source: The Print on IG
The Laadli Media Awards are awarded every year to honor gender-sensitive journalism. This year, Sagarika Kissu was recognized for her work in the web feature category. Sagarika and Manasi reported a critical story that highlighted the precarious lives of orchestral dancers in UP and Bihar. The story paints a compelling picture of how a tradition has slowly become a cause of abuse and apathy in this part of India.
The story forces readers to re-evaluate the idea of equality as it exists today, particularly from an intersectional perspective. It tells the story of an India where oppression is a consequence of a person’s socio-economic position in society.
The story can be found under this link.
3. Manasi Phadke
Source: The Print on IG
In 2025, the Laadli Media Awards also recognized Manasi Phadke through a jury commendation for her story on women-led startups in Goa and how they are quietly transforming Goa into an economic hub. The article further explores how inclusive business easement policies, even if haphazard, can help make economic opportunities and business spaces more welcoming to women entrepreneurs.
The article further explores how inclusive business policy facilitations, even if incidental, can help make economic opportunities and business spaces more welcoming to women entrepreneurs.
The story can be found under this link.
4. Shivani Kava, Anisha Sheth and Nandini Chandrashekar
Source: The News Minute
Another groundbreaking journalistic achievement recognized at the 2025 Laadli Media Awards is the team of stunning women behind the three-part investigative series titled Prajwal Revanna Tapes: The Aftermath. Shivani kava [The News Minute]Anisha Sheth [Thomson Reuters]and Nandini Chandrashekar [The News Minute] are the women behind the investigative series.
The footage exposed the exploitation of women by former MPs, Prajwal Revanna. The consequences of this investigative piece were perceived as a political consequence and also provided the survivors with a strong platform to break away from the abuse of power.
5. Jatinder Kaur Tour
Source: The Wire
For her investigative human rights journalism, Jatinder Kaur Tur was awarded the Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding Media Personality of the Year. As a reporter for The Caravan, Jatinder Kaur Tur highlights the voices of minority communities in her stories. Her investigative article on Gujjar men in Rajouri and Poonch being picked up and tortured by the army was removed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Despite this pressure, she continued to pursue the investigation and uncovered further compelling evidence that supplemented her initial findings. Her ability to remain true to her story, even on a rocky road, and her unwavering commitment to the truth are commendable.
Her ability to remain true to her story even on a rocky road and her unwavering commitment to the truth are commendable.
The story can be found under this link.
6. Saumya Khandelwal
Source: TEDx on YouTube
Saumya Khandelwal is a photojournalist who uses her platform to amplify the voices of marginalized individuals and communities. In 2025, her collaborations with the New York Times and the Fuller Project captured the struggles of female sugarcane field workers in Maharashtra. The story captures aspects of gender-based exploitation, lack of bodily autonomy and financial insecurity faced by workers. Her work was awarded the Danish Siddiqui Journalism Award (photojournalism) 2025.
The story can be found under this link.
7. Greeshma Kuthar
Source: New Lines Magazine
Greeshma Kuthar’s journalism is a voice to challenge existing political power structures in India on behalf of communities marginalized by the abuse of that power.
In 2025, Greeshma Kuthar’s work for The Caravan about militias will be released Manipur and her connections to the Prime Minister and other political connections were recognized with a Danish Siddiqui Journalism Prize (Print).
In 2025, Greeshma Kuthar’s work for The Caravan about militias will be released Manipur and her connections to the Prime Minister and other political connections were recognized with a Danish Siddiqui Journalism Prize (Print).
The story can be found under this link.
8. Sangham Radio
Source: Homegrown
Sangham Radio is a women-run radio station in rural Telangana. It was founded in 2008 by an all-Dalit women’s team in rural Telangana who felt that journalists in the mainstream media were not representing them or responding to their information needs. Now Sangham Radio engages its audience (mainly women from minority communities in Telangana) and provides them with curated information on a variety of topics ranging from agricultural techniques to women’s rights in Telugu and other local languages and dialects.
In 2025, Sangham Radio’s efforts gained global recognition when The Guardian reported on their story as an inspiration for local journalism.
The Guardian article can be found under this link.
9. Divya Arya
Photo credit: Divya Arya via X
Divya Arya’s video series titled हम, भारत के मुसलमान (We the Muslims of India) and हिंदू धर्म: मेरा Also मर्म (Our Essence of Hinduism) for BBC Hindi received notable mentions this year. Her work explores the idea of religion and identity in India. Her work is important in today’s India, where identity politics overshadows the communal aspects of diversity.
10. Mansi Pande, Ishita Pradeep and all the women at Newslaundry
Photo credit: Newslaundry logo
Journalism is a complex field for women because it is characterized by patriarchal prejudices. Courage and determination are needed in the newsroom and on the ground. However, as a journalist and a woman you need a little more determination. This year, the women of Newslaundry have shown by example that standing up for your own stories is just as important as speaking up for the stories happening around you. In early 2025, a male political commentator published a post on social media harassing the team with inappropriate, unnecessary and untrue claims, not about the quality of their reporting, but about their gender.
In early 2025, a male political commentator published a post on social media harassing the team with inappropriate, unnecessary and untrue claims, not about the quality of their reporting, but about their gender.
The women at Newslaundry [Manisha Pande, Ishita Pradeep, Suhasini Biswas, Sumedha Mittal, Tista Roy Chowdhury, Tasneem Fatima, Priya Jain, Jayashree Arunachalam, and Priyali Dhingra] took matters into their own hands. They filed a defamation case in the Delhi High Court.
The demonstration of solidarity and strength by journalists at Newslaundry was crucial in highlighting the bias and discrimination that journalists face, not because of their journalistic integrity, but because of their identity. Her fight prompted the judiciary to advocate for women in journalism and increase protections for journalists while doing their jobs.
Recognizing these women and their work is critical to protecting the media, which in turn protects the values of our democracy and the rights of its citizens. India was ranked 151st out of 180 countries World Press Freedom Index in 2025. Press freedom in India has seen dangerous lows in recent years due to increasing violence against journalists, polarization within the media community, control of the media by capitalist nepotism, etc.
However, from 2024 to 2025, India’s score in the Press Freedom Index increased from 31.28 to 32.96, improving from 159th in 2024 to 151st in 2025. This improvement in press freedom cannot be appreciated without acknowledging the resolute professionals in journalism, such as those mentioned in this list, who are working against all odds to bring the truth to light in India to bring.
This is by no means an exhaustive or representative list. Suggestions to add to this list are welcome in the comments section.
Sruthi (she/her) is a lawyer working in international development and committed to advancing justice through policy, law and data. With an international law and analytics background from NYU, she is deeply committed to redesigning and building systems through an intersectional and integrative perspective. Her responsibilities include advising on the Telangana Rising Vision 2047 document, contributing to inclusive digital ecosystems at UNDP, advising international development organizations and serving as a clerk at the Telangana High Court.
