Mumbai, January 29: Senior journalist and news anchor Palki Sharma Upadhyay has stepped down from her role as Managing Editor of Firstpost to launch her own entrepreneurial venture. The announcement was made during an internal town hall for Firstpost employees on the evening of Thursday, January 29. While Sharma will be transitioning out of her current role, she is expected to remain with the Network18 group until March to facilitate a smooth leadership handover.

The move marks the end of a high-impact three-year stint at Firstpost, where Sharma was instrumental in pivoting the digital outlet into a major video news destination. She is widely credited with the successful launch of her prime-time global affairs show, Vantage, which built a massive international following by presenting world news through an Indian perspective. Her departure comes at a time when Firstpost has seen over 60% of its web traffic originating from overseas users. MovieVerse Studios Strengthens Presence Across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with Telugu Feature Film 'Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi'.

Leadership Transition at Firstpost

In conjunction with Sharma’s resignation, Network18 has announced a senior editorial realignment. Binoy Prabhakar, formerly the Chief Content Officer at Hindustan Times Digital, has been appointed as the new Chief Content Officer for Firstpost. Prabhakar, a veteran with 25 years of experience across The Economic Times and The Indian Express, will lead the brand’s next phase of digital growth.

Additionally, Rakesh Rai, the current Executive Editor at Firstpost, has been promoted to Managing Editor of News18.com. Rai is tasked with integrating Network18’s television and digital newsrooms while driving product differentiation through AI and enhanced user engagement strategies. Mark Tully Dies: Veteran BBC Journalist and Author, Iconic Voice of India’s Political Reporting, Passes Away at 90.

Return to Entrepreneurship

This is not Palki Sharma’s first foray into the business world. Between 2016 and 2019, she successfully managed a designer saree label called Reyva, which focused on traditional Indian weaves. Her decision to exit Firstpost to start a new venture suggests a return to this entrepreneurial spirit, though specific details regarding the nature of her upcoming media or business project have not yet been disclosed.

Legacy of 'Vantage' and Global Reach

During her tenure, Sharma’s editorial tone helped Firstpost challenge established Western narratives in global journalism. Santosh Menon, Chief Content Officer at Network18, praised her "unwavering commitment" and "clarity of insight" in an internal memo, noting that she helped foster a culture of journalistic excellence at the platform.

Before joining Network18 in early 2023, Sharma had a prominent five-year career at WION, where she fronted the show Gravitas. Her departure from Firstpost has sparked significant interest across the Indian media landscape, as she remains one of the most recognisable faces in English-language news today.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 29, 2026 10:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).