Award Winning Journalist & Author
Explore impactful stories and insights from my journalism career.
Award Winning Journalist & Author
Explore impactful stories and insights from my journalism career.
About Mariyam Alavi
Journalist & Author
I am an award-winning journalist, author, & editorial leader with a diverse background in print, visual, audio, and digital journalism.
My work focuses on uncovering the truth and telling compelling stories that resonate with audiences. I have worked in prestigious organisations like NDTV and Hindustan Times, specialising in investigative journalism and fact-checking, and have also had bylines in TRT World and RTÉ Radio 1.
I led the editorial team at the International Fact-Checking Network signatory organisation, First Check, which is a unique health information platform that is safeguarding public health against misinformation-one story at a time.
The groundbreaking work I did exposing the fallacy of 'Love Jihad' secured the 'IPI India Excellence in Journalism Award' in 2021.
I have also co-authored the book 'Love Jihad and Other Fictions: Simple Facts to Counter Viral Falsehoods' that debunks conspiracy theories flooding Indian lives.
Select Written & Visual Stories
Under BJP Government, Cases Against Political Rivals Explode: NDTV Analysis
Under BJP Government, Cases Against Political Rivals Explode: NDTV Analysis
Under BJP Government, Cases Against Political Rivals Explode: NDTV Analysis
A first-of-its-kind catalogue documenting federal action against political opponents under the Modi government.
Bihar Saw Nearly 75,000 Unaccounted Deaths Amid 2nd Covid Wave, Data Shows
Under BJP Government, Cases Against Political Rivals Explode: NDTV Analysis
Under BJP Government, Cases Against Political Rivals Explode: NDTV Analysis
Did multiple stories on undercounting of COVID-19 deaths by Indian authorities, including in states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh.
With No Credible Evidence, "Love Jihad" Cases In Kanpur Crumble
Under BJP Government, Cases Against Political Rivals Explode: NDTV Analysis
Evidence Planted On Activist Stan Swamy's Laptop, Claims US Report
Investigative story that exposed the "Love Jihad" bogey in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, that has won multiple accolades.
Evidence Planted On Activist Stan Swamy's Laptop, Claims US Report
How UP's New Anti-Conversion Law Is Being Used To Harass Hindu-Muslim Couples
Evidence Planted On Activist Stan Swamy's Laptop, Claims US Report
An exclusive breaking story on how evidence was planted on the laptop of a ‘terror-accused' activist and Jesuit priest, Father Stan Swamy.
Mystery Document Raises Questions Over Citizenship Drive In Uttar Pradesh
How UP's New Anti-Conversion Law Is Being Used To Harass Hindu-Muslim Couples
How UP's New Anti-Conversion Law Is Being Used To Harass Hindu-Muslim Couples
An exclusive investigative piece on how officials in a North Indian state had started surveying people for citizenship, even before the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill was notified, on the basis of an unsigned, unmarked, undated document.
How UP's New Anti-Conversion Law Is Being Used To Harass Hindu-Muslim Couples
How UP's New Anti-Conversion Law Is Being Used To Harass Hindu-Muslim Couples
How UP's New Anti-Conversion Law Is Being Used To Harass Hindu-Muslim Couples
An exclusive investigative piece on how a new anti conversion law was being weaponised by right wing vigilantes to harass inter-faith couples
Select Visual Stories
Amid rising religious polarisation and lack of jobs, is ‘Modi 3.0’ in the offing?
From Business Owners to Job Seekers: How Small Businesses are Struggling to survive
Reported, shot and scripted a video story for TRT World, on the 2024 General Elections in India
From Business Owners to Job Seekers: How Small Businesses are Struggling to survive
From Business Owners to Job Seekers: How Small Businesses are Struggling to survive
Part of multi part series on the impact of the pandemic on livelihoods of people
Tales Of Despair: No Jobs For Over A Year As Covid Stretches On
Part of multi part series on the impact of the pandemic on livelihoods of people
"We Eat One Meal A Day": Migrant Workers Still Struggling In Mumbai
"We Eat One Meal A Day": Migrant Workers Still Struggling In Mumbai
Part of multi part series on the impact of the pandemic on livelihoods of people
Reality Check: Inside A Covid ICU
"We Eat One Meal A Day": Migrant Workers Still Struggling In Mumbai
Exclusive: Behind The Scenes Of The Coronavirus War
Reported and assisted in production of story from inside an overrun hospital ICU during the more devastating second wave of the COVID pandemic. Story was shortlisted for a Red Ink Award by the Mumbai Press Club.
Exclusive: Behind The Scenes Of The Coronavirus War
"We Eat One Meal A Day": Migrant Workers Still Struggling In Mumbai
Exclusive: Behind The Scenes Of The Coronavirus War
Reported and assisted in production of story that offered the first glimpse from a hospital ICU during the first wave of the COVID pandemic. Story was shortlisted for a Red Ink Award by the Mumbai Press Club.
Select Written Stories
Indian General Elections 2024 coverage for TRT World
In JNU’s Mahi-Mandavi Hostel, an empty bed in Room 106 awaits Najeeb Ahmad
Indian General Elections 2024 coverage for TRT World
Did multiple text stories for TRT World websites on the Indian General Election, from ground reports to analytical pieces.
Rape threat hangs over women even at homes
In JNU’s Mahi-Mandavi Hostel, an empty bed in Room 106 awaits Najeeb Ahmad
Indian General Elections 2024 coverage for TRT World
Part of a multi part series on the different iterations of sexual violence in India
In JNU’s Mahi-Mandavi Hostel, an empty bed in Room 106 awaits Najeeb Ahmad
In JNU’s Mahi-Mandavi Hostel, an empty bed in Room 106 awaits Najeeb Ahmad
46 years after actor Balraj Sahni’s ‘radical’ speech, JNU to host its 2nd convocation
An exclusive story on how a year after the disappearance of Jawaharlal Nehru University student, Najeeb Ahmad, his spot at the university's Mahi Mandvi hostel was still unallocated.
46 years after actor Balraj Sahni’s ‘radical’ speech, JNU to host its 2nd convocation
46 years after actor Balraj Sahni’s ‘radical’ speech, JNU to host its 2nd convocation
46 years after actor Balraj Sahni’s ‘radical’ speech, JNU to host its 2nd convocation
An exclusive story on how the Jawaharlal Nehru University was expected to conduct its second ever convocation after 46 years
‘A room of our own, clothes for kids’: What Delhi’s homeless want in 2018
46 years after actor Balraj Sahni’s ‘radical’ speech, JNU to host its 2nd convocation
‘I feel like we are frozen in time’: Mother of December 16 gangrape victim
A special feature on the homeless population in India's national capital, Delhi, and their struggles.
‘I feel like we are frozen in time’: Mother of December 16 gangrape victim
46 years after actor Balraj Sahni’s ‘radical’ speech, JNU to host its 2nd convocation
‘I feel like we are frozen in time’: Mother of December 16 gangrape victim
An exclusive interview with the mother of the December 16 Delhi gangrape victim, five years later, on her continued fight for justice.
Select Audio stories
Modi leads as three-quarters of India votes counted
Modi expected to secure third term as India counts vote
Modi expected to secure third term as India counts vote
A radio report on how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political alliance won the country’s weeks-long general election but his Hindu nationalist party lost its parliamentary majority.
Modi expected to secure third term as India counts vote
Modi expected to secure third term as India counts vote
Modi expected to secure third term as India counts vote
A radio report on the latest in the Indian General Elections of 2024
Arundhati Roy to be prosecuted for comments on Kashmir
Modi expected to secure third term as India counts vote
Arundhati Roy to be prosecuted for comments on Kashmir
A radio report on how one of India's most celebrated writers, Arundhati Roy, is to be prosecuted for comments she made about the region of Kashmir 14-years ago
Commissioned, Overseen, and/or Edited
Race Against time: A 10-year-old’s fight for survival against a rare disease
Race Against time: A 10-year-old’s fight for survival against a rare disease
Race Against time: A 10-year-old’s fight for survival against a rare disease
Two decades of service, yet ASHA workers’ demands remain unheard
Race Against time: A 10-year-old’s fight for survival against a rare disease
Race Against time: A 10-year-old’s fight for survival against a rare disease
Indoor air pollution: How slum dwellers breathe air more toxic than others
Race Against time: A 10-year-old’s fight for survival against a rare disease
Indoor air pollution: How slum dwellers breathe air more toxic than others
The viral Gemini Trend offering solace in loss, but at what cost?
The viral Gemini Trend offering solace in loss, but at what cost?
Indoor air pollution: How slum dwellers breathe air more toxic than others
Heatline India 2025: The Scorching Truth
The viral Gemini Trend offering solace in loss, but at what cost?
Through The Fog: Living, Understanding and Fighting Schizophrenia
Through The Fog: Living, Understanding and Fighting Schizophrenia
The viral Gemini Trend offering solace in loss, but at what cost?
Through The Fog: Living, Understanding and Fighting Schizophrenia
Awards and Achievements
IPI India Excellence in Journalism Award, 2021
Awarded the 'IPI India Excellence in Journalism Award, 2021' for story exposing the hollow bogey of 'Love Jihad' in India
National Television Awards 2022
Awarded 'Best Investigation by a News Programme (English)' at the National Television Awards 2022, for story exposing the hollow bogey of 'Love Jihad' in India
40 under 40 English language journalists
Listed among the 40 under 40 English language journalists in India in 2022
RedInk Awards 2022
Shortlisted for the RedInk Awards 2022 by the Mumbai Press Club for story on the deluge of COVID cases during the second wave of the pandemic in India, and the realities of an overrun COVID ICU in the national capital
RedInk Awards 2021
Shortlisted for the RedInk Awards 2021 by the Mumbai Press Club for one of the first visual stories from inside a COVID ICU during the initial nationwide lockdown in India after the pandemic first hit the country