The Journey
18 years. Dozens of outlets. One purpose — the story.
Written for
Sanjay Pandey
Journalist · Media Entrepreneur · Storyteller
Sanjay Pandey is an accomplished Indian journalist and media entrepreneur with over 18 years of experience in journalism and media leadership, marked by notable contributions to storytelling and social causes.
He began his professional journey at The Telegraph, Kolkata's leading English-language newspaper, where a strong editorial foundation was laid. That early rigour carried through desk roles at India Today, Mid-Day, and ultimately Reuters — where he edited the agency's global top news pages.
His international footprint grew through features for Al Jazeera English, Gulf News, AJ+, DW, Vice, and The Independent, covering geopolitics, climate change, and human interest stories that cut across borders.
In 2016, Sanjay founded Newslions Media — South Asia's first multimedia press agency dedicated to "amazing content," supplying stories to media outlets and AI companies worldwide. That same year, he pivoted part of his practice toward rare disease advocacy, using journalism to help individuals secure crowdfunding for treatment — writing for the Daily Mail, The Sun, and the New York Post.
Today, as Editor in Chief of News Lions Chronicle, he continues to lead from the front — reporting, editing, and building media that matters.
◎ Career Milestones
From a trainee sub-editor's desk in Kolkata to founding South Asia's first multimedia press agency.
The Telegraph — Where It All Began
ABP Group · Kolkata
Started as a trainee sub-editor at The Telegraph, one of India's most respected English-language newspapers. Was in-charge of the metro pages — coordinating with the bureau on story possibilities, selecting stories and photos, subbing and rewriting. And whenever desk life grew quiet, headed out to chase stories in the field.
Mid-Day — Three Cities, One Deadline
Mid-Day · Mumbai
Joined the Mumbai tabloid as a senior sub-editor, working across three editions — Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune. Was regularly entrusted with the responsibility of single-handedly bringing out the Bangalore and Pune editions, sharpening instincts for fast, concise tabloid journalism.
Reuters — The Global Wire
Thomson Reuters · Bangalore
Edited global top news pages for one of the world's most trusted news agencies. The job demanded reading the wire continuously, plucking the most relevant stories, reworking them when necessary, and publishing in step with the relentless pace of international news flow.
Barcroft Media — Video & the Extraordinary
Barcroft Media · India (Freelance)
Worked as a freelance video director and producer, creating content that showcased the amazing, bizarre and unbelievable facets of India. Managed concept development, production, cinematography and post-production — bridging cultural gaps through visual storytelling.
Al Jazeera English — Deep Dives
Al Jazeera Media Network · India (Freelance)
Crafted in-depth features for Al Jazeera English covering pressing social issues — groom kidnapping in Bihar, maritime piracy, uranium pollution in Jharkhand, and the roots of Naxalism. Nuanced, reported narratives aimed at audiences who needed context, not just headlines.
Gulf News Friday Magazine — Human Portraits
Gulf News · India (Freelance)
Spent six years writing feature stories for Gulf News's Friday Magazine — a beggar who became a celebrated photographer, India's first female surfer, the world's oldest mother at 74, a man who walked backwards for global peace. Each piece a celebration of the extraordinary in the ordinary.
AJ+ — Backpack Video Journalism
AJ+ · India (Freelance)
One of the first video journalists contributing to AJ+ from India. Covered climate change, acid attack survivor advocacy, eco-friendly alternatives, and more — using a lean backpack setup to bring important stories to life for a global digital audience.
Firstpost — Head of Videos
Firstpost · Mumbai
Led the editorial and creative direction of the video section at Firstpost.com. Oversaw productions from pitch to publication, commissioned documentaries from freelance journalists and production houses, and led field teams on special investigations.
Founding Newslions — South Asia's First Multimedia Press Agency
Newslions · Bengaluru
Founded Newslions Media — South Asia's first multimedia press agency dedicated to "amazing content." Based in Bengaluru, Newslions supplies real-life, heartwarming and hard-hitting multimedia stories to newspapers, websites, TV channels, production houses and AI companies worldwide. The mission: bridge cultural gaps and elevate South Asian voices on the global stage.
Rare Disease Advocacy — Journalism as Social Good
Daily Mail · The Sun · New York Post
Since 2016, has focused on raising awareness for individuals suffering from rare medical conditions, writing for the Daily Mail, The Sun and the New York Post. Through advocacy journalism, has helped individuals secure crowdfunding for treatments at hospitals in India and abroad — using the platform for direct social impact.
The Caravan — Society, Culture, Environment
The Caravan Magazine · Bengaluru (Freelance)
Contributing writer for The Caravan, India's foremost long-form journalism magazine. Writes on society, culture and the environment as a roving reporter based out of Bengaluru — including deep dives into the criminal gangs of Rajmahal, Jharkhand.
Thomson Reuters Foundation — Climate & Human Rights
Thomson Reuters Foundation · India (Freelance)
Contributed for nearly seven years as a freelance writer covering climate change and human rights issues across India — including the "tiger widows" of the Sundarbans, women forced back into forests where their husbands were killed, as climate threats destroy their farming livelihoods.
Editor in Chief — News Lions Chronicle
NEWS LIONS CHRONICLE · Bengaluru
Took on the role of Editor in Chief at News Lions Chronicle, bringing together 18+ years of journalism and media leadership to shape a new chapter in Indian storytelling.