Women Democracy & Media

The interface between the media and politics has long been a focus of communication research. However, the gendered implications of political communication and the manner is which the news media cover issues of relevance to women is a more recent concern. This book is based on empirical data derived from an analysis of news and interviews with Indian journalists and women activists. The author looks at the functioning of what she calls the 'Brahmanical hegemony' - the deeply rooted cultural orientation of the Indian urban elite. This has led to women's issues being defined as belonging to the private sphere and thus not relevant to public debates about democracy. This book stresses the need to confront this mind-set in order for debates of women's issues in India to progress.