NEW DELHI (Feb 27, 2026) — Senior journalist Rana Yashwant has publicly disavowed his recent appointment as CEO and Editor-in-Chief of the Hindi news channel News India, citing a major breakdown in newsroom management.
The Conflict
The departure follows a heated internal dispute between Yashwant and the channel’s chairman, Shailendra Sharma. The disagreement reportedly centered on:
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Arbitrary Dismissals: Yashwant criticized the management for disregarding the experience and contributions of staff members he had recently hired.
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Editorial Independence: The journalist indicated that the work environment was incompatible with his standards for discipline and professional talent.
Public Admission
Taking to social media to address the controversy, Yashwant was candid about his regret:
“Joining News India was a terrible mistake on my part, and I acknowledge it. Sometimes you make the wrong decision… because you trust repeated requests and assurances.”
Impact on News India
The public fallout has raised serious concerns within Indian media circles regarding editorial independence at the channel. Yashwant, a veteran with decades of experience in Hindi journalism, had only recently taken the helm to revamp the network’s digital and broadcast presence.
The management of News India has yet to issue a formal response to Yashwant’s statements or clarify the current leadership status of the newsroom.
