Palki Sharma, the managing editor of Firstpost, has announced her decision to step down from her position after a remarkable tenure of three years with the digital news platform. This development was shared with employees during a town hall meeting on Thursday evening. Sharma will continue to stay with the company until March 2026 to ensure a smooth transition.
Sharma’s departure from Firstpost marks the end of a significant chapter in her career, having played a pivotal role in the editorial success of the platform. Sources confirmed that Binoy Prabhakar, formerly the chief content officer at Hindustan Times Digital, will be taking over as Firstpost’s new chief content officer. Additionally, Rakesh Rai, the executive editor at Firstpost, will be promoted to managing editor of News18.com.
Sharma Reflects on Her Tenure at Firstpost
During the town hall meeting, Palki Sharma took the opportunity to address Firstpost employees, reflecting on her impactful three-year journey with the platform. She shared her plans to start her own venture, a move that aligns with her growing entrepreneurial aspirations.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share an important leadership update at Firstpost,” Santosh Menon, the chief content officer at Network18, wrote in an email to the staff. “Palki played a vital role in launching our prime-time show, Vantage, and contributed significantly to shaping its editorial tone. She anchored the show with clarity, insight, and an unwavering commitment to presenting global news through an Indian lens, earning widespread acclaim.”
Leadership Transition and Future Plans
Menon further praised Sharma for her role in establishing a strong editorial team and fostering a culture of journalistic excellence at Firstpost. While the company bid farewell to one of its most influential leaders, it also welcomed Binoy Prabhakar, a seasoned editor with vast experience at media giants like Hindustan Times, The Economic Times, and Moneycontrol. Prabhakar is expected to lead Firstpost into its next phase, enhancing its editorial direction.
Before joining Network18, Palki Sharma’s career at Zee Media was marked by controversy. She had a public departure from Zee Media’s English-language channel, Wion, after five and a half years. The company filed a case against her for not fulfilling the required notice period, but the Delhi High Court later ruled in her favor, allowing her to continue her career at Network18.
Sharma’s Entrepreneurial Journey
As Palki Sharma transitions from journalism to entrepreneurship, her departure from Firstpost has stirred mixed emotions among her colleagues and the media industry. Her contributions to Firstpost and her previous work at Wion have left a lasting mark on the news industry, and her new venture is expected to generate significant interest. Sharma’s decision to launch her own venture represents a bold move in her career, and many are eager to see what she will bring to the media landscape next.
This shift in leadership at Firstpost signals a new direction for the platform, as it navigates through an evolving digital media landscape, with a strong focus on innovation and editorial integrity under Prabhakar’s guidance.
