Background

Media is at the center of a country’s social and economic sphere acting as a platform that publicly disseminates credible information, shaping public opinion, citizen engagement, and a well-informed public. A key tenet of democracy in countries such as India is uncensored media that provides diverse and ethical information. However, the media is often a reflection of the voices responsible for producing it.

In a country as diverse as ours, forces such as class, gender, and religion often play out in societal processes, influencing access and opportunity. This is especially true for marginalized and underserved social communities, where social identities dictate access to education, healthcare, employment and other social necessities. Consequently, barriers here often keep several communities and individuals from entering professional spaces such as media and journalism. In fact, 3 out 4 journalists in India often belong to socially privileged groups, where 90% of leadership positions in Media are occupied by them. This speaks to not only the lack of diversity within the field, but also extends to the voices that are represented and heard. In fact, with the advent of digitalisation, there are a growing number of social media journalists and reporters emerging from otherwise overlooked parts of the country, lending a voice to the communities and populations that largely remain on the fringes of Indian media.

Thus, efforts at integration and access to professional opportunities must begin at the grassroots level, providing younger citizens with the educational resources and tools to pursue professional careers in media, fostering a diverse and more representative industry. The Indian Media Alliance was founded with this belief, aiming to provide children from underserved communities with access to media literacy and resources, empowering them to pursue careers in Media.

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