Meet Megavarshini G. Somasundaram, PressProgress’ 2024 Labour Reporting Intern

PressProgress is committed to investing in the next generation of journalists. With a deepening crisis in the news industry, it’s especially important to train new talent in non-profit newsrooms to continue growing mission-driven, impact journalism. 

In its fourth year, the Labour Reporting Internship Program is welcoming Megavarshini G. Somasundaram, a student pursuing a Master of Journalism from the University of British Columbia. Megavarshini brings a diverse set of work experiences to the program, having interned at the Times of India, The News Minute, and Just for Women magazine in India, and has contributed to outlets like The Source, The Ubyssey, Discorder Magazine, and The Thunderbird.

“I chose to fly across the world and learn to tell true stories,” says Megavarshini, reflecting on her journey from Tamil Nadu, India, to pursuing journalism in Vancouver, Canada.

Megavarshini believes independent and accountable journalism is crucial to uphold a functioning democracy. She is inspired by the bravery of journalists like Gauri Lankesh—a journalist assassinated in India whose case still awaits justice seven years later.

“As a fellow female journalist who comes from a country with increasingly totalitarian leadership, I have witnessed the death of the voices, especially women, that try to keep democracy alive.”

The pull towards labour reporting, more specifically, is rooted in Megavarshini’s belief in the power of journalism to amplify the voice of workers.

“I witnessed the struggles and resilience of labourers fighting for a living, and listening to their grievances made me realize how important it is to humanize their narratives,” says Megavarshini.

Megavarshini is the fourth woman to participate in the PressProgress labour internship program.

“It’s great to see women leading the way in pursuing labour reporting in Canada,” says PressProgress Internship Coordinator, Emily Leedham. “All the women who have come through our labour reporting program have been brilliant and produced fantastic work. I’m so excited to work with yet another impressive young woman reporter, Megavarshini.”