© Media Watch 10 (S) 43-54, 2019
ISSN 0976-0911 e-ISSN 2249-8818
DOI: 10.15655/mw/2019/v10/Spl/49611
Exploring the Role of Citizen Journalism in Rural India
Santosh Kumar Biswal
Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, India
Abstract
The mainstream media is known for its large news conglomerates comprising print, electronic and digital media, influencing and shaping public thought and opinion. However, the concentration of media ownership and homogenization of viewpoints presented to news consumers have drawn widespread flak and given rise to the emergence of alternative media. Citizen journalism, a form of alternative medium, came to the fore with the noble thought of public citizens playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analysing, and disseminating news and information. Citizen journalism in India and in rural regions in particular is of utmost importance as they are underserved by the mainstream media. CGNetSwara, one alternative platform, enables citizen journalism in rural regions. The current study has attempted to explore the nuances of production, distribution and consumption of citizen journalism in rural India.
Keywords: Citizen journalism, rural India, mobile, mainstream media, news, political economy
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Santosh Kumar Biswal (Ph.D., Osmania University, 2016) is an Assistant Professor with Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune. His research interests include development communication, disability, human rights, and citizen journalism.
Correspondence to: Santosh Kumar Biswal, Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Symbiosis Knowledge Village, Lavale, Mulshi, Pune—412 115, India.