Marginalisation means when a certain person or a sect of people is made to feel of lesser importance by those in power. Marginalised persons are forced to the periphery or the edge of society. This, in turn, robs them of the facilities and opportunities enjoyed by the non-marginalised sections of society.
Marginalized groups
Marginalised groups are those excluded from full participation in social, economic, and political life.
Causes: caste hierarchy, poverty, gender bias, disability, and age-based discrimination. The media has the power to include or exclude these voices through its narratives and priorities.
Understand the Power of Media
The media is an essential attribute of a democratic polity — both work hand in hand. If democracy is the government of the people, then the media is the voice of the people. The media is the only force that ensures the free flow of information in society. When the media is restricted, censored, or obstructed, citizens remain uninformed:
Unaware of their rights and duties,
Ignorant of their needs and social issues,
Unconscious of the role they can play in improving their society and nation.
Media came into existence in 1780 with the introduction of a newspaper, namely "The Bengal Gazette" and since then it has matured leaps and bounds. It has been playing a very important role in shaping human minds. The media makes us aware of various social, political and economic activities happening around the world.
It is like a mirror, which shows us or strives to show us the bare truth and harsh realities of life. The media also exposes loopholes in the democratic system, which ultimately helps the government infilling the vacuums of loopholes and make the system more accountable, responsive and citizen-friendly
A democracy without media is like a vehicle without wheels. It is mostly observed that news on political and economic issues dominates over social issues. Social issues are not given the kind of importance or platform of communication that they deserve. Issues of violence against women and other forms of discrimination against women, which basically stems from inequality – both in terms of physical and economic power – between men and women, are rarely given the importance they deserve.
Due to the outreach and technological sophistication, the Media’s role has now expanded and increased beyond the mere supply of information. It can be said that the media can now 'create reality’.
Media can effectively shape public opinion, influence personal beliefs, and even alter people’s self-perceptions. Ideologies, thought processes, and the methods of socialization are greatly influenced by the media. It is time that the media become highly sensitive to gender issues.
Media Matters
“Print and electronic media do not provide a balanced picture of women’s diverse lives and contributions to society in a changing world.”
BEIJING PLATFORM FOR ACTION 1995
Nearly 25 years ago, in 1995, during the Fourth World Conference on Women, 189 UN Member States recognised the central role of media in shifting the gender stereotypes that influence how we think and act
Media Reporting on Child Sexual Abuse and POCSO
How is it reported?
Asifa Bano: The child rape and murder that has Kashmir on edge
India rape: Six-year-old victim's eyes damaged in attack
Kathua rape-murder case verdict Live Updates: Life imprisonment for 3 accused, victim's lawyer disappointed - India Today
Guidelines by Media Regulators
Reporting Rape
1. The audio-visual presentation of any content will be given in a responsible and aesthetic manner, subject to the condition that the following shall not be included in these three categories: Category ‘U’, Category ‘U/A’ and Category ‘A’. (Ministry of Information & Broadcasting)
2. Use suitable techniques such as masking, blurring, changing names or identities etc., particularly in the cases of minors, victims of sexual violence or dreaded diseases like HIV/AIDS or natural or other disasters unless there is an identifiable larger public interest involved. (Indian Broadcasting Federation)
3. Electronic media should not show visuals or details which could "re-traumatise" the victims or reveal their identities. (News Broadcasting Standards Authority)
4. Where any proceedings are held under sub-section (2) *, it shall not be lawful for any person to print or publish any matter in relation to any such proceedings, except with the previous permission of the court. (Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973)
The alleged criminal and the victim, and the witnesses must be identified with utmost care, with no implications of caste or religion. Only on the strongest grounds of public interest should any of these considerations be diluted. (The Editors Guild of India)
Actions Taken
Disclosure of rape victims' identity:
Even the dead have dignity, can't be named and shamed, says SC
•It said that even in cases where the rape victims were alive and were either minors or of unsound mind, their identities should not be revealed as they have the right to privacy, and they cannot live under such a "stigma" throughout their life.
•"Think of the dignity of dead also. It (media reporting) can be done without naming or shaming them. The dead also have dignity," a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said while hearing the matter in which senior lawyer Indira Jaising raked up the issue of section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which deals with disclosure of identity of victims of sexual offences.
Based on Human Rights Watch Report — “They Say We’re Dirty” (2014)
•Despite constitutional guarantees, marginalised children in India—Dalits, tribals, and Minorities—continue to face discrimination in schools.•
•Right to Education Act (RTE, 2009) promises free education for ages 6–14, yet nearly half of enrolled children drop out before completing elementary school.•
•Human Rights Watch report highlights systemic neglect, bias, and weak accountability.
Key Findings
Discrimination in schools remains widespread and normalised. Teachers and staff often treat Dalit, tribal, and marginalised children unequally. Weak monitoring and redress mechanisms fail to prevent dropouts. Over 80 million children drop out before completing elementary education
Forms of Discrimination
Marginalised children are:
Made to sit separately or at the back of classrooms.
Insulted with derogatory names.
Served food last during mid-day meals.
Denied leadership roles or class participation.
Forced to clean toilets or do menial tasks.
“The teacher tells us to sit on the other side... she says we are dirty.” – Pankaj, 8-year-old tribal boy, U.P.
Case Examples
Javed (10, Delhi): Called “Mullah” by teachers and classmates; felt humiliated.
Shyam (14, U.P.): Made to sit in corners, denied food, and eventually dropped out.
Naresh (12, Bihar): Forced to massage teachers’ legs and clean toilets.
These experiences create fear, shame, and alienation, driving children away from school.
Recommendations
Stronger Monitoring: Track every child from enrolment to Grade VIII.
Effective Redress: Establish independent complaint mechanisms.
Teacher Training: Promote Inclusivity and Anti-Discrimination Education.
Accountability: Penalise those who discriminate.
Community Involvement: Strengthen School Management Committees
What Media Need to do?
Simultaneously run programs that highlight the fact that ensuring the safety and dignity of a child is the responsibility of adults, as well as help others learn how to teach personal safety to small children without instilling fear or distrust of adults.
Follow up cases/ intermittently until the trial is complete.
What needs to be done...
•Terminology in reporting crime against women and children is an area where change is occurring.
•It is particularly important not to mix up what is legal with what is not and give a stamp of respectability:
•Not “images of child pornography” but “images of child abuse”;
•Not “elopement with a teacher” but “abduction”;
•Not “child prostitution/child prostitute” but “child abuse and abused child”.
•The media plays an important role in reflecting attitudes in society. Those who work in the media should be conscious of this.
- John Battle, Head of Compliance, ITN, United Kingdom
Media and Dalits
Examining Representation, Reality, and Responsibility
According to the 2018 Oxfam report, 88% of leadership positions in Indian media were held by 'upper' castes. Dalits held no positions. Four years later, that number still remains zero.
•In India, however, Dalit representation and reportage remain deeply imbalanced.
•Even as caste-based atrocities continue, the media narrative often overlooks, underplays, or sensationalises Dalit suffering.
Recent example: The CJP (Citizens for Justice and Peace) Report, Sept 2024, documented a series of brutal caste-based crimes within just two months, revealing a national crisis of justice and equality.
The Context of Caste Discrimination
Despite constitutional guarantees of equality (Articles 14, 15, 17) and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, caste discrimination remains pervasive.
Dalits (Scheduled Castes) continue to face:
•Social exclusion and segregation
•Physical and sexual violence
•Institutional discrimination in education, employment, and justice systems
The media’s role becomes critical in exposing these injustices and holding power accountable.
Role of Media in Reporting Dalit Issues
Functions of media related to Dalit rights:
•Information dissemination – Reporting atrocities and discrimination cases.
•Awareness creation – Educating society on caste inequality and human rights.
•Accountability – Pressuring governments and institutions to act.
•Representation – Including Dalit voices and perspectives in mainstream narratives.
Yet, coverage remains inconsistent, urban-biased, and elite-driven.
Case Study — CJP Report (July–Sept 2024)
Title: “The Alarming Rise of Anti-Dalit Violence and Discrimination in India”
Publisher: Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), Sept 5, 2024
The report documented dozens of caste atrocities across states within two months.
It revealed that Dalit lives remain undervalued, and media coverage was fragmented and reactive.
Selected Incidents (2024)
Uttar Pradesh (July 23):
A 15-year-old Dalit boy forced to drink urine.
The act was filmed and circulated on social media.
Police acted only after public outrage.
Karnataka (Aug 18):
Dalit man stabbed to death after caste-based abuse.
Locals demanded justice; minimal media follow-up.
Karnataka (Sept 3):
Dalit woman poisoned to death after inter-caste marriage.
Case shows intersection of patriarchy and caste oppression.
Karnataka (Sept 4):
67-year-old Dalit elder beaten with a wooden pole for taking shelter from rain.
Attack rooted in caste prejudice.
Status of Tribal Population in India
The tribal population constitutes a majority in the northeastern states of Mizoram and Lakshadweep (94.4%), Meghalaya (86.1%), and Nagaland (86.5%).
The states with no Scheduled tribe groups are Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi and Pondicherry. India has total tribal population of 10.43 crores which is 8.6% of total population of India as per 2011 census.
Importance of Media in Social issues of Tribes
The media has got a vital role in molding a good society to develop our lifestyle and move it on the right path, because it always try to side with the truth and relevant factor.
It is the best tool to spread awareness in social issues of tribes and the modern society either it be political, social or economic and giving us latest sight about what is happening in our world.
Adivasis (Tribal Communities)
The term “Adivasis” literally means “original inhabitants”. They comprise about 8 % of India’s population.
They often live close to forests and have their own languages, religions and ways of life distinct from the dominant society.
Many Adivasis face marginalisation because:
Their lands are taken for mining and development and they lose their livelihood and inheritance.
They are often portrayed in stereotypical ways seen as “exotic”, “primitive”, or “backward”.
The Rise of Alternative & Community Media
Community Radio Stations (CRS): e.g., Mandakini Ki Awaaz (Uttarakhand), Radio Dhadkan (Madhya Pradesh) – promote local culture and dialects.
Digital Tribal Journalism: Youth-led initiatives use mobile journalism to document local issues, environment, education, rights, and culture.
Social Media Empowerment: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have allowed tribal creators to share music, storytelling, and activism globally.
Media and Differently-abled, Old-aged persons
Inspiration and Empowerment: Movies and news stories about achievers like Arunima Sinha or Deepa Malik help change societal mindsets.
Awareness Campaigns: Programs like ‘Disability Matters’ and ‘Ability Fest’ promote inclusion in media and arts.
Policy Promotion: Media has supported campaigns for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016) and accessibility initiatives like Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan).
Challenges & Issues
•Stereotyping: Often portrayed as objects of pity or charity rather than as capable individuals.
•Lack of Representation: Very few differently-abled anchors, journalists, or characters in films.
•Limited Accessibility: Media platforms themselves (websites, TV shows, news broadcasts) often lack accessibility features such as subtitles, sign language, or screen-reader compatibility.
Media and old-aged persons
Representation of Wisdom: Senior citizens are shown as sources of experience, moral strength, and family values.
Awareness of Issues: Media coverage of elder abuse, loneliness, and health care brings attention to their problems.
Promotion of Active Ageing: Campaigns encouraging healthy lifestyles, lifelong learning, and intergenerational bonding.
Challenges & Issues
Stereotypical Portrayals: Often shown as dependent, frail, or irrelevant to modern life.
Neglect in Media Content: Mainstream media largely focus on youth-oriented issues, ignoring the concerns of the elderly.
Digital Exclusion: Lack of digital literacy and accessible technology creates a “digital divide” for older persons.
Need for Inclusive and Sensitive Media
Representation with Dignity: Show differently-abled and elderly people as individuals with aspirations, not just as victims.
Accessibility: All content should include subtitles, sign language, and audio descriptions.
Participation: Involve differently-abled and elderly persons in production, writing, and reporting roles.
Policy Advocacy: Media can push for effective implementation of laws like:
Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016)
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act (2007)
Examples of Inclusive Initiatives
Doordarshan’s Special Programs: Segments focusing on disability rights and senior welfare.
Social Media Campaigns: #WeAreDisabledNotWeak and #ActiveAging have gained traction online.
Films:
Black (2005) – portrayed the struggle and strength of a deaf-blind woman.
Paa (2009) – highlighted old-age health issues with dignity.
Margarita With a Straw (2014) – broke stereotypes about disability and identity.
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