N. Ram

Ram spent two years (1980–1982) as The Hindu’s Washington correspondent during a tense Cold War period, providing him a global perspective rare among Indian journalists at the time.

Despite family opposition, Ram refused to halt his Bofors scandal series in 1989, which led to a family editorial dispute and his reassignment from The Hindu to Frontline magazine.

Ram’s investigative reporting on the Bofors scandal was honored in 2012 by Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism as one of its 50 great stories over 100 years.

N. Ram’s exposé of the Bofors scandal altered Indian political discourse, reinforcing investigative journalism as a watchdog against corruption. His leadership at The Hindu and its sister publications introduced rigorous editorial standards and expanded in-depth political and economic reporting. His work also influenced media ethics debates and inspired future generations of Indian journalists to challenge powerful interests.