Our Team - DFRAC

Prashant Tandon

Prashant Tandon is a three-decade veteran in journalism and former Editor of Freedom Express – news media house on digital platform. Prashant has served in leadership roles in print as well as in broadcast media. He was Managing Editor of TV 9 Group, Executive Editor with India TV, Editor News Gathering with IBN 7 (Now news 18) and Star News (Now ABP News) Besides being active in journalism he is also involved media academics, research and training. A strong defender of Free Speech and Human Rights, Prashant is also associated with various think tanks and non-profit organisations.

VK Cherian

V K Cherian is a journalist, writer turned strategic communications professional with 40 years of experience, After the first 20 years in mainline media including, Television, he shifted to strategic public communications. He was inducted by Public Relations Council of India into the HALL OF Fame in March 2015. He is widely networked in media, government, industry and politics. In mainline media, he worked with Delhi bureau of dailies, Deccan Chronicle, Mathrubhoomi, The Hitavada, Amrita Bazar Patrika, Financial Express and The Hindu Business Line.

Dr. Nipunika Shahid

Dr. Nipunika Shahid is a distinguished media professional whose 26-year career spans broadcast journalism, public communication, academic leadership, and strategic content development. With substantive experience across India’s leading news platforms—including ANI, Sahara Samay, Zee News, ETV, All India Radio, and Hindustan Times—she has cultivated a rare mastery of both newsroom dynamics and the deeper ethical, political, and socio-cultural forces that shape contemporary media practice.

Her professional arc reflects both intellectual rigor and editorial sophistication. Having reported extensively on gender, governance, national policy, public institutions, and social justice, she brings to the advisory role a nuanced, research-driven understanding of how narratives influence public consciousness and democratic engagement. Her thought leadership extends to academia, where she serves as Assistant Professor and Leads the Media Innovation Club at Christ University, engaging in curriculum design, critical media studies, and the mentorship of emerging storytellers.

Muhammad Fahad

News Editor at first India News (Print). Experience over 11 years of hardcore journalism. A demonstrated history of working in the newspapers industry. Strong media and communication professional with a Master’s Degree focused in Development Communication from AJKMCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Worked as Assistant Editor with Catch News, Chief Sub Editor DNA, Sub Editor Hindustan Times and Senior Sub Editor at The Goan on Saturday

Dr. Shujaat Ali Quadri

Dr. Shujaat Ali Quadri is a researcher, journalist, and fact-checking professional with over 10 years of experience in community engagement, media analysis, and public discourse. As Co-Founder and Managing Editor, he focuses on misinformation, disinformation, information warfare, and digital propaganda ecosystems, particularly in the South Asian context. He holds B.Tech and M.Tech degrees along with a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, with expertise in cyber narratives, online influence operations, and emerging challenges posed by AI-driven manipulation and deepfake technologies.
Dr. Quadri is actively associated with several think tanks and non-profit organizations working on policy research, social harmony, and media literacy initiatives. His work involves analyzing coordinated disinformation campaigns, communal propaganda, and geopolitical information operations. Alongside freelance journalism and research, he regularly contributes articles and opinion pieces to mainstream media platforms on issues related to fact-checking, digital security, technology, and socio-political developments.

Nisar Siddiqui

Dr. Nisar Siddiqui is a research scholar, freelance journalist, and Hindi media specialist with over seven years of experience in journalism, digital media, and public communication. He serves as the Hindi Editor at [DFRAC] where he is actively involved in analysing fake news, misinformation, disinformation campaigns, and misleading narratives circulating across Hindi media and social media platforms. His work focuses on fact-checking viral claims, tracking propaganda trends, and studying the impact of digital misinformation on society and public discourse. Dr. Siddiqui completed his M.Phil from Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi, and earned his PhD from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. He specializes in Gender and Media, Web Media, and Electronic Media, with strong expertise in Hindi-language digital ecosystems. Through research, reporting, and media analysis, he contributes toward strengthening credible journalism, media literacy, and evidence-based public communication in India. He has previously been associated with media organizations including India News (UP/UK), I-Witness News, News Wire Service (NWS), and GNN News, where he contributed in reporting, editorial coordination, and News Programming.

Mubeen Ahmad Jamei

Mubeen Ahmad Jamei is a journalist, researcher, and Urdu media specialist currently serving as the Urdu Editor at [DFRAC]. As part of the organization’s fact-checking and research team, he focuses on analysing misinformation, disinformation, fake news, and propaganda narratives circulating across Urdu media and social media platforms. His work involves monitoring viral claims, verifying information, and studying the impact of misleading content on public discourse and communal harmony. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi. His areas of expertise include writing, editing, news analysis, and digital content research. Prior to joining DFRAC, he worked as a Sub-Editor at United News of India (UNI News Agency) and as a Content Editor at ETV Bharat Urdu. Through research-based journalism and media monitoring, he contributes toward strengthening credible reporting and media literacy in the Urdu information ecosystem.

Dilshad Noor

Dilshad Noor is a journalist, researcher, and media analyst associated with DFRAC, as a Research Fellow. With over eight years of experience in journalism and research, he specializes in fact-checking, misinformation tracking, and disinformation analysis, particularly in the context of digital media and online information ecosystems. His work focuses on identifying misleading narratives, analysing propaganda trends, and preparing research-based reports on fake news and information manipulation. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from VMOU, Kota, and earned both an MA and LLB from the University of Kota. His academic background in media and law strengthens his understanding of public communication, media ethics, and information accountability. Dilshad Noor has expertise in report writing, research analysis, and digital media monitoring, contributing toward evidence-based journalism and efforts to counter misinformation and harmful online narratives.

Naitik Saini

Naitik Saini is a professional graphic designer, video editor, and visual media specialist associated with DFRAC. He plays an important role in producing digital visual content, documentary-style explainers, fact-check videos, and multimedia storytelling related to misinformation, disinformation, and current affairs. With expertise in video editing, cinematography, and digital design, he contributes to creating impactful visual narratives that enhance public awareness and media literacy. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC) degree and has more than 4 years of professional experience in video production and creative media. His work combines journalistic storytelling with modern visual communication techniques, helping simplify complex issues related to fake news, propaganda, and information manipulation for wider audiences. Through innovative editing and creative presentation, he supports evidence-based journalism and digital engagement initiatives.

Abhinav Singh

Abhinav Singh is a researcher and media analyst specializing in misinformation, disinformation, propaganda narratives, and fake-news ecosystems, with a particular focus on geopolitical information environments. He holds a postgraduate degree in Political Science, along with an academic background in Economics and Political Science from the University of Delhi. His work centers on fact-checking, narrative deconstruction, and evidence-based analysis of geopolitics, India’s foreign policy, and regional strategic affairs. Abhinav’s expertise includes analysing coordinated disinformation campaigns, digital propaganda networks, and online influence operations shaping public discourse. Through policy-oriented research and media analysis, he is committed to strengthening information integrity, countering misleading narratives, and promoting data-driven, credible, and informed public communication in the evolving digital information landscape.

Khushboo Singh

Khushboo Singh is a journalist, editor, and fact-check researcher associated with DFRAC, where she works on analysing misinformation, disinformation campaigns, digital propaganda, and socio-political narratives in India. Her work focuses on investigating viral claims, tracking coordinated disinformation networks, and producing evidence-based fact-check reports aimed at strengthening credible journalism and information integrity.

As an editor and fact-checking professional, she specializes in monitoring online narratives, analysing misleading content, and studying the impact of fake news on public discourse and social cohesion. Alongside journalism, she has extensively contributed to research projects related to labour rights, gig workers, urban governance, and marginalized communities. Her reporting combines field research, policy analysis, and digital investigation techniques to deliver accurate, research-driven, and socially responsible journalism. Through her work, she actively contributes to countering misinformation and promoting informed public dialogue in the digital media ecosystem.

Mohd Faiz Gauri

Mohd Faiz Gauri is a technology and data research professional specializing in artificial intelligence, digital investigations, and misinformation analysis. He holds an M.Sc. in Banking and Financial Analytics from Jamia Millia Islamia and a B.Tech in Computer Science from Jamia Hamdard University. At DFRAC, he worked as a Data Analyst and Research Intern, focusing on fact-checking, scam website investigations, and analysis of disinformation ecosystems. His expertise includes AI-driven content analysis, web scraping, sentiment analysis, data visualization, and digital forensic research using tools such as Python, SQL, Power BI, Tableau, Selenium, and machine learning models. He has contributed to research on crypto scam networks, fake trading platforms, and online propaganda narratives, including an award-recognized in-depth fact-checking project. Faiz combines technical expertise with analytical research to support evidence-based journalism, information integrity, and technology-driven investigations into misinformation and digital manipulation.

Fizza Khan

Fizza is a media professional, anchor, and fact-checker with a strong academic background in Journalism and Mass Communication. She specializes in research, fact verification, content writing, SEO, and digital communication, bringing accuracy, professionalism, and creative storytelling to her work. With a confident on-screen presence and a deep understanding of evolving media trends and digital platforms, she actively contributes to credible journalism and public awareness initiatives. As an anchor and fact-checker, Fizza focuses on identifying misinformation, verifying viral claims, and producing well-researched content across digital and broadcast media platforms. Her work combines media presentation skills with analytical research to simplify complex issues and promote evidence-based reporting. Passionate about strengthening information integrity, she is committed to combating misinformation and delivering impactful, authentic, and audience-focused journalism in today’s rapidly evolving digital information ecosystem.