This paper analyses three examples of alternative media in India. These are "The Citizen", "The Wire" and "News Laundry". The main task is to show the advantages and limitations of alternative media compared with mainstream media.
Historically and conceptually the roots of media go back to the prophetic times and prophetic mission respectively. The prophetic times were a difficult period in the history of Israel. At that time the prophets were charged with a message to communicate. The prophetic role had a social dimension; it wasn’t purely a personal religious experience. On the one hand the prophets belonged as a religious model in the king’s entourage but on the other they did not refrain from castigating the ruler for their misdeeds often by pointed parables. They also performed their role as critics of the Israelite society. Prophetic castigation and criticism was to empower the ruler and the society and not to pull the ruler down and leave the society in tatters. Thus it was a very positive role. Historically and conceptually has the role of media been any different? Should the role of media today be any different?
But the concern the world over regarding mainstream media today is its big fall from genuine and even limited expectations. The concern of failure of not living up to the expectations of media’s role was there even in the age of the old media. Therefore the need for an alternative media was very much felt. This need was partly taken care of by Non-Governmental Organizations, their affiliates, and other cultural, religious, and social organizations. But there were limitations imposed by various factors such as scarcity of resources, state and government interferences and regulations. The post-truth nature of our world has influenced today’s mainstream media very badly. Thankfully, the age of the internet has facilitated to some extent to overcome the drawbacks of the mainstream media and provide an alternative forum. The present contribution is focused on how the online has synergized an alternative media that might empower the people in terms of information gathering and information dissemination. For, today information is power.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Clarifying Terms
2.1 Online
2.2 Alternative Media
2.2.1 Advantages of alternative media
2.2.2 Limitations to alternative media
2.2.3 Alternative Media in the Age of Old Media
2.2.4 Alternative Media in the Age of New Media
2.3 Mainstream versus Alternative Media
2.3.1 Characteristics of Alternative Media
2.4 Types of Alternative Media
3. Online as Alternative Media
4. Alternative Media in India
5. Alternative Media and Empowerment
6. The Three Sites
7. Theoretical Framework
7.1 Democratic Theory and Public Sphere
7.2 Counter-public Sphere
8. Methods
9. Conclusion
Objectives & Topics
This paper aims to explore how online platforms have evolved into a form of alternative media that empowers the public by providing information and facilitating dissemination. The study investigates how three specific Indian digital news sites—thecitizen.in, thewire.in, and newslaundry.com—challenge mainstream media narratives and serve as platforms for voices traditionally excluded from public discourse.
- Evolution of alternative media from traditional to digital forms.
- Role of online platforms in creating a counter-public sphere.
- Empowerment of marginalized communities such as Dalits and tribals.
- Comparison of operational models between mainstream and alternative media.
- Impact of the 2014 Indian General Elections on alternative media growth.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2 Alternative Media
“Alternative media” is defined variously by media scholarship. We would like to define alternative media as media other than mainstream media having less financial, human resource, infrastructure, and logistic assets. John Downing (2003:243) speaks of ‘radical alternative media’. He defines it as ‘that [which] express an alternative vision to hegemonic policies, priorities, and perspectives’ (2001: v). According to Christian Fuchs (2010: 176-177) to characterize media as alternative they must have four distinct properties: 1) people must be involved in its creation; 2) it has to be different from the mainstream; 3) it should create a perspective different from that of the state and major corporations; and 4) it must have a different business model, that is it must run without ads and with donations/contributions from readers. Fuchs (2010: 178) speaks of an ideal alternative media. We would like to argue ‘ideal’ can only be a wish and cannot be practicable since first of all the question arises: who decides what is ideal? Also due to the dynamic nature of media the so-called ‘ideal’ will keep changing.
Alternative media may be found in the realms of print, electronic, digital, and online. While the mainstream media in general are perceived to be representing government and corporate interests alternative media tend to focus on and take up the interests of those ignored by the mainstream, the poor, the marginalized, Dalits, tribals, linguistic, political, and religious minorities, unorganized labour groups, and LGBT community. This is increasingly the case in many of the third world countries, including India.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Discusses the historical evolution of the media's role in society and identifies the necessity for alternative forums due to mainstream media's shortcomings.
2. Clarifying Terms: Provides foundational definitions for digital communication, the characteristics of alternative media, and the comparative differences between mainstream and alternative outlets.
3. Online as Alternative Media: Explores how digital platforms and social networking sites have emerged as contemporary spaces for alternative journalistic expression.
4. Alternative Media in India: Examines the socio-political context in India that necessitated the growth of alternative media platforms, specifically following the 2014 elections.
5. Alternative Media and Empowerment: Analyzes how these platforms actively support social struggles and provide a voice to the marginalized sections of society.
6. The Three Sites: Presents an analysis of thecitizen.in, thewire.in, and newslaundry.com, assessing them against identified characteristics of alternative media.
7. Theoretical Framework: Outlines the concepts of the "public sphere" and "counter-public sphere" to ground the study in democratic theory.
8. Methods: Details the observational and analytical research approach used to study the selected news websites.
9. Conclusion: Summarizes how the studied websites have filled a credibility vacuum in the Indian media landscape and contributed to the empowerment of their readers.
Keywords
Alternative Media, Online Journalism, Empowerment, India, Mainstream Media, Public Sphere, Counter-public Sphere, Citizen Journalism, Digital Media, Democracy, Marginalized Groups, Dalit Media, Tribal Media, Information Dissemination, Media Credibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper investigates how online media outlets in India operate as alternative platforms to provide independent, critical news coverage that mainstream media often ignores.
What are the primary thematic pillars of the study?
The study centers on the definition of alternative media, the role of digitalization, the socio-political climate in India, the concept of the counter-public sphere, and the empowerment of marginalized communities.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to determine if selected online news platforms function as effective alternative media and if they successfully serve as a source of empowerment for their readers.
Which research methodology is employed?
The research uses an observational-analytic-explanatory approach, utilizing typical case sampling to examine specific stories from the three chosen online news sites.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the definitions of terms, the theoretical foundations of the public sphere, the growth of Indian alternative media, and a comparative analysis of the three news sites against established media characteristics.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Alternative Media, Online Journalism, Empowerment, Counter-public Sphere, and Media Credibility.
How does the author define the "counter-public sphere" in this context?
The author uses the concept to describe spaces where marginalized groups challenge the existing status quo of power, class, and social privilege by articulating views excluded from wider public discourse.
How do the three websites justify their independence?
These sites emphasize an editorial model reliant on reader contributions rather than corporate or political funding, aiming to maintain transparency and provide unbiased reporting.
What role does the digital divide play in the author's analysis?
The author acknowledges that while the digital divide exists in India and limits reach, the online engagement of a significant percentage of the population still fosters a necessary shift toward new digital public spheres.
- Quote paper
- Francis Arackal Thummy (Author), 2017, Online synergizing alternative media for empowering people in India, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/462812
