Uma Sudhir is one of India’s most accomplished broadcast journalists, with a career spanning nearly three decades of fearless, on-the-ground storytelling.
The Journey
A graduate of the prestigious Times School of Journalism in New Delhi, Uma began her career with a passion for stories that matter. She joined NDTV and over 27 years rose to become Executive Editor, establishing herself as the definitive voice of South India’s news coverage.
Known as the consummate field journalist, Uma thrived on being where the news was happening — a handheld microphone gripped firmly, speaking with people and for people. While many peers moved to desk roles, she chose the field, delivering sober, honest, and thoughtful journalism in an increasingly noisy media landscape.
In 2025, Uma joined DeKoder — the media platform founded by Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy — as Consulting Editor, bringing her ground reportage expertise to a new chapter in digital journalism.
Awards & Recognition
- Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2015) — India’s highest news industry award for quality journalism in broadcast
- Chameli Devi Jain Award (2017) — For Outstanding Women Mediapersons, recognizing her “incisive and analytical reports that help create awareness of ground realities”
- International Press Institute (IPI) Award — For excellence in journalism
- UNFPA Laadli Awards (Multiple) — For gender-sensitive reporting
- CII Recognition — As an industry leader in journalism
Areas of Focus
Education
Advocating for quality education and awareness through impactful storytelling.
Health
Highlighting healthcare challenges including trauma care as a fundamental right.
Gender Equality
Championing women’s safety, empowerment, and gender-sensitive reporting.
Development
Covering governance, policy, and grassroots development across India.
Beyond Journalism
Uma is a 5x TEDx Speaker, sharing insights on reinvention, storytelling, and navigating change. She is also an accomplished documentary filmmaker and actively partners with organizations like the CII Indian Women Network and Telangana Police on campaigns promoting women’s safety and gender equality.
Based in Hyderabad, Telangana, Uma continues to bridge traditional and digital media, training intelligence officers on the evolving media landscape and speaking on information warfare, AI, and the future of journalism.