Noida, Apr 23: Prolific Indian journalist Faye D’Souza joins AAFT as the Industry Dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Widely respected for her fearless reporting, incisive analysis, and unwavering commitment to the truth, Ms. D’Souza has built a reputation as one of the most trusted voices in Indian media. . Over the years, she has built a career around journalism that raises issues that matter to citizens. As the face of Mirror Now, she challenged the status quo of television news by placing people above politics, and today, she leads her own independent digital news channel with the same credibility and courage she is known for. In her new role at AAFT, she will help future generations of journalists emulate these very qualities in their careers.
Her work has earned widespread recognition and numerous accolades, including the RedInk Award for Journalism, a place on Forbes India’s Self-Made Women list, and an honour among Fortune India’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. Over the course of her career, she has led major newsrooms such as Mirror Now, ET Now, and CNBC-TV18, and has gone on to establish her own independent media voice. She is also awarded with Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism. The addition of a leader of her stature and repute as Industry Dean takes AAFT’s journalism curriculum a notch higher.
“Having Faye D’Souza lead our School of Journalism and Mass Communication gives our students a rare opportunity to learn from one of the most trusted voices in Indian media,” said Akshay Marwah, CEO of AAFT. “Journalism today demands more than just reporting—it requires credibility, critical thinking, and the courage to stand by facts. Her mentorship will help shape students into industry-ready journalists who can navigate complex narratives, build public trust, and succeed across both traditional and digital news platforms.”
As Industry Dean, Ms. Faye D’Souza will bring her decades of newsroom experience directly to AAFT students, helping them gain practical skills and a deep understanding of the workings of modern newsrooms at a time where more than 70% of employers find graduates to lack practical skills and real-world experience.
She will also conduct exclusive masterclasses and campus sessions, where she will share real-world insights on reporting, editing, and storytelling in an era where media is getting increasingly digital, data-driven, and socially conscious.
Ms. D’Souza will also guide in curriculum development, ensuring that courses are in line with the newest developments. Additionally, she will create structured avenues for mentorship, industry engagement, and exposure, connecting students with media professionals and projects that help them build the connections and competence necessary to succeed in the field.
“It’s always been important to me to focus on stories that truly matter, and I’m excited and honoured to guide young journalists as they learn to tell those stories, truthfully and courageously,” said Ms. D’souza. “I’m looking forward to my time at AAFT, meeting the students, sharing what I’ve learned, and helping them figure out how to make a real difference with their work.”
Her inclusion in AAFT’s star-studded faculty exhibits the institute’s determination to create ethical, sharp, and highly skilled media professionals. Ms. D’Souza has time and again moved from merely reporting news to raising the issues that matter, and these are the same qualities her association with AAFT will help its graduates learn.
