Presidency School of Media Studies successfully hosted a masterclass on “Investigative Journalism: Undercover, Ethics, Risks, and Legal Boundaries” featuring renowned investigative journalist and lawyer Poonam Agarwal.

With over two decades of experience in investigative reporting, Poonam Agarwal has covered politics, governance, elections, corruption, and social justice. She has worked with leading media organisations such as NDTV, Times Now, India Today, and The Quint, and has also produced investigative documentaries for BBC World Service.

Her investigative work on the Electoral Bonds Scheme brought national attention to issues of transparency and political funding in India. Agarwal is the recipient of prestigious honours including the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism and CNN-IBN Indian of the Year. She is also the author of India Inked: Elections in the World’s Largest Democracy.

During the masterclass, Agarwal shared powerful insights into the realities of undercover reporting, ethical dilemmas, legal boundaries, and the risks involved in investigative journalism. Drawing from her professional experiences, she highlighted the responsibility journalists carry when exposing issues of public interest and holding institutions accountable.

The session featured an engaging conversation moderated by Dr. Ashish Sharma, who guided the discussion through key themes such as governance, transparency, and the evolving landscape of investigative journalism.

Students from journalism and law backgrounds actively participated in an interactive Q&A session, raising thoughtful questions about ethical reporting practices, legal safeguards, and the complexities of conducting investigative work in contemporary media environments.

The event was seamlessly hosted by student emcees Tanishqa Rebello and Angeleena Shibu, adding energy and enthusiasm to the proceedings.

The masterclass provided students with a valuable opportunity to learn directly from a leading investigative journalist and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and responsibilities associated with investigative reporting.

At PSOMS, such engagements continue to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world journalism, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to experiential education and meaningful industry-academia collaboration.