Rajesh Upadhyay appointed to IGNOU's School Board

Senior journalist Rajesh Upadhyay has been appointed to the School Board of the School of Journalism and New Media Studies (SOJNMS) of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

Rajesh Upadhyay shared information about his new role on the social media platform LinkedIn. In his post, he wrote that this appointment comes at a time when journalism and media education are constantly changing due to technological advancements, evolving information systems, and the rapidly expanding influence of artificial intelligence (AI). “I am honoured to share that I have been appointed for the School Board of the School of Journalism and New Media Studies (SOJNMS), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)”, his post read.

He said he wanted to share his experiences and ideas with the School Board regarding community journalism, fact-checking, media and information literacy, and the responsible and ethical use of AI. Upadhyay also said that in this role he wants to contribute to strengthening the academic and teaching framework that can equip the next generation of media professionals with the skills, critical thinking and ethical understanding required for the changing media landscape.

He said that it would be an honour for him to work with SOJNMS and connect with eminent academicians, researchers and industry leaders and contribute to the growth and academic excellence of the institute.

Upon his appointment, Rajesh Upadhyay expressed his gratitude to IGNOU and the School of Journalism and New Media Studies for their confidence and entrusting him with this responsibility. He said he looks forward to making meaningful contributions to the university's academic mission and to the broader discourse on the future of journalism and media education.

Upadhyay's new role marks another important milestone in his media career. Previously, he served as Editor-in-Chief at Jagran New Media. His tenure with Jagran New Media ended on April 30, 2026. He joined the company in 2016 and spent nearly a decade leading digital journalism, content strategy, and innovation. He was promoted to Executive President in August 2024. He also led the launch of the fact-checking platform Vishvas News.

After leaving Jagran New Media, in May 2026, Rajesh Upadhyay joined Artificial Intelligence (AI) based platform 'ToBe Online' as Chief Integrity Officer (CIO), started by Bharat Gupta, a well-known name in the media industry and former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jagran New Media.

With over three decades of experience, Rajesh Upadhyay has worked in both print and digital media. Prior to Jagran New Media, he held positions at prestigious media organizations such as HT Media and DB Corp.

Rajesh Upadhyay holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Barkatullah University, Bhopal. He also studied at the Indian Institute of Management, Indore.