Media Coverage of Protests : A Case Study of the 2020-21 Farmers Protest

Abstract

The media is widely considered to be the fourth pillar of democracy. However, in recent times, the Indian media has seen its independence being eroded. The 2020-21 Farm protests is one of the largest agrarian protests in the history of India. This study therefore aims to understand the media coverage of the protests set in a background of declining media freedoms through a qualitative analysis of leading newspapers and news channels. The study found that the coverage of the protests has been largely sympathetic to the government and many times extremely critical of the farmers protesting. The results thus strengthen the argument that the mainstream media has taken a pro-government turn and is reluctant to criticise the Centre. The study has identified several factors that contribute to the media being vulnerable to being misused for propaganda purposes. The policy recommendations made are intended to be a starting point to bring about media reform and vitalise the Indian media