Beginning his career in "The Hindu" as an associate editor in 1977, Ram was made the Washington correspondent in 1980. His association with the news magazine "Frontline" dates back to 1984, when the magazine was started. Ram has become famous as a journalist during his writings in exposing Bofors Scandal during the reign of former prime minister of India Rajiv Gandhi. Prior to his position as the editor-in-chief of the "Hindu" daily, Ram had served as the editor of "Frontline" magazine and Sportstar between 1991 and 2003.