Newslaundry is dealing with mounting criticism on social media after issuing an announcement describing accounts carrying allegations of sexual harassment and office misconduct in opposition to the organisation as a part of a “vile, slanderous and malicious” try.
In an announcement launched on Tuesday, Newslaundry stated it had noticed “the vile and slanderous nature of conversations round Newslaundry and plenty of of our employees” over the previous 5 days.
“Unsubstantiated and fictitious allegations are being made in opposition to our colleagues. We have now nothing to cover. Our colleagues and our determination to not reply to abuse and lies shouldn’t be seen as an indication of defensiveness or weak point,” the organisation stated.
Newslaundry added that it remained dedicated to addressing complaints by due course of and maintained that it had all the time taken allegations of sexual harassment severely. The organisation stated it will proceed to cooperate with any lawful inquiry whereas exploring authorized cures in opposition to what it described as defamatory content material circulating on-line.
Nonetheless, the assertion triggered criticism from journalists and former staff, who questioned whether or not describing the net discourse as “vile” and characterising allegations as “unsubstantiated” and “fictitious” would create an atmosphere through which present or former staff would really feel comfy reporting office grievances.
The backlash intensified after Newslaundry Managing Editor Atul Chaurasia posted on X referring to these making the allegations as “despicable people” who’re “appearing surreptitiously” and “stabbing within the again”. The submit was later deleted.
Journalist Nilanjana Bhowmick questioned the organisation’s strategy in a submit on X.
“Expensive @newslaundry real query. How will your ex & current employees write to you with their complaints when you may have already, publicly dismissed all of the allegations as ‘unsubstantiated’ and ‘fictitious?’ That is not making a secure house. You do have lots to study.”
Expensive @newslaundry – real query. How will your ex & current employees write to you with their complaints when you may have already, publicly dismissed all of the allegations as “unsubstantiated” and “fictitious?”
That is not making a secure house. You do have lots to study. https://t.co/l2ygj0lEyB— Nilanjana Bhowmick (@nilanjanab) August 12, 2026
Former Newslaundry worker Snigdha Sharma additionally criticised the organisation’s response, saying the assertion mirrored why many ladies select to not converse publicly about office experiences.
“That is precisely why girls do not converse up. We would reasonably cope with poisonous work situations than give the RW trolls a weapon… Now Newslaundry will get to cover behind the trolls too. Name each account ‘vile’ and ‘unsubstantiated,’ and you do not reply any of it,” she wrote on X.
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That is precisely why girls don’t converse up. We’d reasonably cope with poisonous work situations than give the rw trolls a weapon. They’ve by no means cared about girls, not for a second. However they’d leap at any probability to assault journalism that retains some semblance of democracy alive.— snigdha sharma (@snigdhasharma9) August 11, 2026
A number of different customers questioned whether or not the organisation had adequately mirrored on the allegations. One submit argued that the difficulty prolonged past compliance with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) framework, stating that Newslaundry must also handle criticism over its editorial practices, together with complaints relating to its reporting on tuberculosis sufferers.
One other person wrote that whereas the publication’s journalism had been noteworthy, its inner buildings appeared to have failed. A separate submit questioned the usage of the time period “vile” within the assertion whereas allegations in opposition to co-founder Abhinandan Sekhri stay unanswered.
Newslaundry shouldn’t be utilizing the phrase ‘vile’ whereas having Abhinandan Sekhri on the helm. https://t.co/iaZl85sQuT
— Kaushal S Inamdar| कौशल इनामदार (@ksinamdar) August 11, 2026
The Tejpal laundry.
On prices of abuse by staff: “we won’t cease, we won’t be intimidated.” And each one that is support-tweeting is an worker on their payroll… not a single former worker has agreed. https://t.co/8s056Cl3yQ
— Sankrant Sanu सानु संक्रान्त ਸੰਕ੍ਰਾਂਤ ਸਾਨੁ (@sankrant) August 11, 2026
However how did it come to this even? Did not you guys pause and look inwards even somewhat bit? Your journalism was noteworthy, however your inner buildings have been clearly horrible. What a pity! https://t.co/ZVZLeTNVOb
— Karthik Venkatesh ( کارتِک وینکٹیش, ਕਾਰਤਿਕ) (@karthik_venk) August 12, 2026
The backlash comes days after multiple accounts on social media accused the organisation of fostering a poisonous office and alleged cases of sexual harassment and misconduct involving senior members of the newsroom.
The controversy erupted after Newslaundry eliminated a 2014 opinion article titled “Letter To Ms Tehelka-Assault-Sufferer”, written by Nirupama Sekhri, sister of Abhinandan Sekhri, on the sexual assault case involving former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal. In a be aware revealed on the article’s unique URL, Newslaundry stated the piece not mirrored the values guiding its journalism, citing authorized developments, the #MeToo motion and evolving public understanding.
Following the article’s elimination, former employees began questioning Newslaundry’s own workplace practices, with some alleging shortcomings within the organisation’s POSH framework and Inner Complaints Committee.
Because the controversy gathered tempo, some customers on X additionally started calling for Newslaundry co-founder Abhinandan Sekhri to step down, arguing that the organisation wanted to show accountability whereas the allegations stay unresolved.
Surprise why Abhinandan Sekhri and Manisha Pande havent resigned but. Newslaundry has solely 8 feminine reporters out of which 4 filed POSH complaints.
I urge everybody on my timeline to push for Abhinandan Sekhri’s resignation.. @DCWDelhi @MIB_India @AshwiniVaishnaw… pic.twitter.com/FyHqsYBo7M
— Mr Sinha (@Mrsinha) August 11, 2026
Has Abhinandan Sekhri resigned??
Can anybody verify? pic.twitter.com/3CCQY7kJtp— Barkha Trehan ???????? / बरखा त्रेहन (@barkhatrehan16) August 11, 2026
Earlier, responding to Storyboard18’s queries, Newslaundry Editor-in-Chief Manisha Pande stated the organisation’s office harassment committee had acted on each grievance it had obtained.
“Through the years, Newslaundry’s office harassment committee has addressed all complaints of office harassment it has obtained, leading to dismissals and suspensions the place warranted. None of those complaints have been in opposition to the CEO of Newslaundry. I’ve seen the feedback on social media from former colleagues and have already reached out to 2 of them who raised particular points. The exterior member within the committee held a PoSH coaching program in November 2025,” Pande had stated.
As of publication, Abhinandan Sekhri has not issued a public response addressing the allegations made in opposition to him individually. Storyboard18 has reached out to Sekhri and Newslaundry for remark. This story might be up to date if a response is obtained.
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