Davos 2026: Indian newsrooms and media leaders shine on the global stage

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos once again acted as a high-stakes platform where media visibility is determined not just by attendance, but by access, leadership engagement, and editorial ambition.

As global leaders, policymakers, and CEOs gathered in the Swiss Alps, Indian newsrooms were also present in full force, vying for relevance, recognition, and influence in an increasingly competitive international media landscape.

Among Indian media organisations, the India Today Group emerged as one of the most prominent performers at Davos this year, distinguished by senior leadership involvement, scale of coverage, and sustained on-ground engagement. The group’s presence spanned television, digital, and editorial leadership, reinforcing its position as a leading Indian voice in global conversations.

A defining moment came through Kalli Purie, Vice Chairperson and Executive Editor-in-Chief of India Today Group, who participated in an official World Economic Forum session. Her inclusion in formal WEF programming placed India Today Group among a select group of global media organisations that were not only reporting from Davos but actively contributing to its structured discourse — a testament to the group’s institutional credibility and standing.

On the broadcast front, CNBC-TV18 Managing Editor Shereen Bhan delivered one of the most demanding and high-profile performances by an Indian journalist at the summit. Over the course of Davos, she anchored and conducted nearly 100 interviews with global leaders, corporate executives, and policymakers, often back-to-back across extended broadcast windows. The volume and consistency of her output highlighted CNBC-TV18’s editorial strength and logistical capabilities, hallmarks of a newsroom built for global economic coverage.

India Today Group’s editorial presence was further bolstered by senior journalists like Rajdeep Sardesai, whose extensive experience with global political affairs added depth and authority to the group’s reporting and analysis.

On the digital front, Moneycontrol amplified the group’s Davos coverage, with Chandra R. Srikanth, Executive Editor – Technology and Startups, securing a notable soundbite from US President Donald Trump, which quickly circulated across Indian digital platforms and news cycles.

NDTV also maintained a strong presence at Davos 2026, fielding a substantial team of journalists, including senior editorial leaders. Rahul Kanwal, a regular attendee, was on the ground, underscoring the network’s commitment to sustaining visibility at the global forum. NDTV contributed to the overall Indian media representation at Davos and actively participated in the broader coverage ecosystem surrounding the annual meeting.

However, Davos 2026 once again highlighted the difference between mere presence and meaningful impact. While multiple Indian newsrooms were on site, the forum emphasized that leadership-led engagement, consistent editorial output, and marquee broadcast moments increasingly determine which organisations shape narratives and which remain background participants.

As Indian media houses aim to assert themselves globally, Davos has evolved from a box-ticking exercise into a stage to demonstrate newsroom ambition on an international level. In this sense, Davos 2026 functioned not just as a global summit but as an informal benchmark — revealing which Indian newsrooms arrived prepared to lead, and which were content with visibility alone.

This year particularly stood out for women leaders. Three women made a significant impact at Davos — Kalli Purie, Vice Chairperson and Group Editorial Director of India Today Group; Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor of CNBC-TV18, who continues to shine year after year; and Chandra R. Srikanth of Moneycontrol. Their contributions created headlines and highlighted the growing influence of Indian women leaders in global media coverage.