Dalits and Alternative Media
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Dalits and Alternative Media
Dalits also called untouchables are the ‘lowest’ social group in India. Dalits have been historically excluded and discriminated from the mainstream public sphere. Many Dalit leaders have fought for the emancipation of Dalits. But the role of media towards cause is very crucial and vital. One of the main reasons for the inadequate media representation of Dalit issues in Indian mainstream media is the dearth of Dalit journalists in the media industry. Though efforts were taken by Dalit reformers to start their own media, owing to several factors, they could not sustain on par with the mainstream media. On account of the proliferation of Internet and the new digitalization, multiple alternative media have emerged. In response to the neglect by the mainstream media, Dalits have turned to the new media tool such as blogs as an alternative space to challenge the dominant public discourse through varied discursive practices. This book analyses and discusses about how Daily websites and blogs have been used by Dalits as an alternative media to voice their views. The book also explores as to how Dalit websites and blogs are a new form of vibrant and dynamic virtual public sphere tool.