Palki Sharma has decided to step down from her role as Managing Editor of Firstpost, the digital news platform under Network18. She will remain with the organisation until March before pursuing her own entrepreneurial venture.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, this leadership change was announced during an internal town hall for Firstpost employees on Thursday evening and later confirmed in an email from Santosh Menon, Chief Content Officer at Network18. Menon described Sharma’s tenure as remarkable, noting her key contributions to the platform. Binoy Prabhakar, previously Chief Content Officer at Hindustan Times Digital, has been appointed as the new Chief Content Officer of Firstpost. Separately, Rakesh Rai, who served as Executive Editor at Firstpost, will be promoted to Managing Editor of News18.com.
Sharma joined Firstpost in early 2023 following her departure from Zee Media’s Wion channel, where she anchored the popular show Gravitas. At Firstpost, she launched and anchored the prime-time programme Vantage, which presented global news through an Indian perspective and helped grow the platform’s audience significantly. Under her leadership, Firstpost expanded its reach, achieving milestones such as over 9 million YouTube subscribers and billions of views in recent years. Menon highlighted her role in shaping the outlet’s editorial tone, building a strong team, and fostering journalistic excellence.
In his internal communication, Menon expressed regret over the departure while praising Sharma’s impact. He stated that she played a vital part in establishing Vantage and contributing to Firstpost’s identity as a source of insightful global coverage with an Indian viewpoint. The email also welcomed Prabhakar, describing him as a seasoned editor with 25 years of experience across major organisations, including The Economic Times, The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and Network18’s own Moneycontrol and CNBCTV18.com. Menon noted that Prabhakar would guide Firstpost’s editorial direction in its next growth phase.
Sharma addressed Firstpost staff at Menon’s request during the town hall, reflecting on her three-year stint and confirming her intention to start a new venture. Sources indicate she has plans for an independent media initiative, though specifics remain undisclosed. This move comes after her earlier high-profile exit from Wion in 2022, which involved a legal dispute over notice period that was resolved in her favour by the Delhi High Court.
The transition at Firstpost reflects broader realignments within Network18’s digital operations. Prabhakar’s appointment aims to build on the platform’s momentum, focusing on editorial strength amid evolving digital news consumption in India. Sharma’s departure marks the end of a period that saw Firstpost gain prominence for its analysis of international affairs from a national standpoint.
Industry observers view this as a significant shift in India’s digital media landscape, where prominent anchors often transition to independent projects. Sharma’s Vantage became known for its direct style and focus on underreported global stories relevant to Indian audiences. Her future venture is anticipated to emphasise similar independent journalism and storytelling.
Network18 has not issued a public statement beyond the internal communications, but the changes have been widely reported by media trade outlets and sources close to the developments. Sharma will continue in her current capacity until March, ensuring a smooth handover.
The Chenab Times News Desk