Religion News Service (RNS) is pleased to announce that two reporters have joined the RNS team: Richa Karmarkar, National Reporter and Editorial Assistant, and Fiona André, National Reporter.

“We are lucky to have these two talented young reporters joining RNS,” said Paul O’Donnell, RNS’s Editor-in-Chief. “We were introduced to both of them during their stints as interns over the past few years at RNS. We know they bring excellent reporting skills and sharp perspectives on covering faith communities in the United States and abroad. We will be relying on them to cover both traditional institutional faith and ways the religious landscape is changing.”

Richa Karmarkar. Courtesy phtoo

Richa Karmarkar is based in New York City and primarily covers Hinduism. She also helps with the newsroom’s editorial needs. Before joining RNS in July 2023, Karmarkar worked at the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy and on the production team of the Interfaith Voices podcast. Karmarkar is a graduate of Columbia University with Master’s degrees in Religion and in Journalism. She also holds three Bachelor’s degrees in Religious Studies, History, and Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Read her stories at RNS.

Fiona André also is based in New York City and joined RNS in October 2023 as a general assignment reporter after serving as an intern for RNS earlier this year. Prior to working with RNS, André covered religion for Le Monde in Paris, her hometown.

Fiona Andre. Courtesy photo

She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from both Columbia University and Sciences Po Paris and a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Paris University. While at Columbia, she received a grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation to report on religion in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Le Monde, Christian Today, Covering Religion, and more. Read her stories at RNS. 

Karmakar and André join an exemplary RNS lineup of reporters, including Adelle M. Banks, Claire Giangravè, Jack Jenkins, Kathryn Post, Yonat Shimron, and Bob Smietana.

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Religion News Service is an independent, nonprofit source of global news on religion, spirituality, culture and ethics, reported by a staff of professional journalists. Founded in 1934, RNS informs readers with objective reporting and insightful commentary, and is relied upon by readers, listeners and viewers in the United States and around the world. Visit ReligionNews.com.