Journalist Dhanya Rajendran Selected For Prof. Maxwell Fernandes Journalism Award (Image: dhanyarajendran)
Dhanya Rajendran, the Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of The News Minute, has been selected for the prestigious Prof. Maxwell Fernandes Journalism Award.
Instituted in memory of the founding head of the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of Kerala, the award honours exemplary contributions to independent and ethical journalism. It is jointly presented by Prof. Fernandes’ family and the MCJ Alumni Association.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on August 4, 2025, at 2 PM at the University of Kerala’s Kariavattom campus.
A journalist with more than 22 years of experience, Dhanya hails from Palakkad, Kerala. She began her journalism career in 2003 with Indiavision, Kerala’s first 24-hour news channel, and later worked with The New Indian Express in Chennai.
In 2005, she joined Times Now as a reporter and rose to become the South India Bureau Chief, leading coverage across five southern states—Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Also, read| IIT Delhi Launches Chidambaram Memorial Lecture Series On National Science Day
In 2014, Dhanya co-founded The News Minute with veteran journalist Chitra Subramaniam and Vignesh Vellore. Under her leadership, TNM has grown into a widely respected digital news platform known for its in-depth reportage, critical regional focus, and commitment to ethical journalism.
The platform has earned acclaim for covering complex socio-political issues that are often ignored by national outlets, especially from South India.
She is currently the Chairperson of DIGIPUB News India Foundation, a collective of independent digital media platforms, and a member of The Network of Women in Media, India.
Her journalistic work has previously earned her numerous recognitions, including the Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding Women Mediapersons and the Red Ink Journalist of the Year Award.
The jury for this year’s award included respected journalists and alumni, S. Radhakrishnan, SD Prince, KR Beena, Jo Joseph Thayankari, and B Sreejan. The selection was announced by Priyadas Mangalath (Working President) and Jo Joseph Thayankari (Secretary) of the foundation.
Dhanya Rajendran is also a vocal advocate for the safety and dignity of women journalists. In 2017, she was subjected to a massive online harassment campaign after expressing a personal opinion about a Tamil film starring actor Vijay.
The tweet triggered an avalanche of over 31,000 abusive tweets, many containing threats and sexual harassment. A dedicated hashtag was launched to abuse her, and her phone crashed due to the sheer volume of hate.
She filed a police complaint, resulting in an FIR under several sections of the IPC and IT Act. Her stance was widely supported by journalist bodies, politicians, including DMK’s M.K. Stalin, and finally actor Vijay himself, who issued a statement urging his fans to stop the abuse. The cybercrime police later investigated and arrested one of the harassers, setting a precedent for digital accountability.
Also, read|The Director Who Raised A Mayor: Meet Mira Nair And Her Quiet Revolution
Her investigative reporting on controversial figures like Swami Nithyananda also drew intense online backlash. Nevertheless, she has remained firm in her commitment to fearless journalism.
In the aftermath of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa’s death, she publicly shared her own experiences of sexual harassment while on election duty, shedding light on the dangers women journalists face in the field.
A consistent critic of sensationalism in media, Dhanya has advocated for sensitive coverage of sexual abuse cases and the need for journalists to respect survivors’ dignity. She has spoken out against voyeuristic journalism and has encouraged reporters to avoid graphic details that serve no public interest.
Her role in the #MeToo movement in India has been equally pivotal—amplifying stories, standing by survivors, and calling for systemic change in media workplaces.
Dhanya Rajendran completed her schooling at Kanikkamatha Convent School and graduated from Government Victoria College, Palakkad. She later trained in journalism at the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, one of India’s premier journalism schools.
In 2018, she was featured in Fortune India’s 40 Under 40 list for her entrepreneurial leadership, and 2017, she was honoured with the Namma Bengaluru Media Person of the Year award.
