Dheeshma Puzhakkal

Dheeshma Puzhakkal leads the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN)-certified fact-check team at NewsMeter. Beginning her career as a tech writer in 2018, she made the transition to journalism in 2019 as a multimedia journalist with NewsMeter. In 2020, she joined India Today, where she rose to the role of principal correspondent within the organization's fact-check team. In December 2023, she returned to NewsMeter, assuming the position of head of its fact-check team. Puzhakkal specializes in analyzing maps and satellite imagery and gathering open-source intelligence for investigative journalism. Throughout her career, Puzhakkal has proven herself as a seasoned fact-checker, delving into misinformation surrounding various topics, including elections, cross-border conflicts and communalism. Her contributions have earned recognition with members of parliament, ministers, and embassies acknowledging and sharing her findings. Her reporting extends across diverse domains, including politics, health, data and consumer affairs.