Discussion on ‘Political Economy of the Indian Media’

Speakers: Shri Sukumar Muralidharan, Associate Professor, Jindal School of Journalism & Communication, O.P. Jindal Global University; Shri Hartosh Singh Bal, Political Editor, The Caravan; and Shri Siddharth Varadarajan, Founding Editor, The Wire

 

Moderator: Suhas Borker

 

A political economy approach analyses the relationships between politics, economics and the Indian media. The media in India, as elsewhere, has grown phenomenally in recent years, especially in the digital formats. How the media is organised and funded is central to understanding its role in the country. This ultimately has a bearing on the functioning of the media within the broader parameters of representative democracy. Is the government able to manipulate media content through a patronage relationship? How are corporatisation and the concentration of media ownership impinging on democratic practices, values, norms, and social and political institutions? In this context, is there a potential for the creation of a public space which reflects a true diversity of voices and could contribute to the deepening of democracy?

 

The discussion also marks 25 Years of Jan Prasar

 

(Collaboration: Jan Prasar)