Women and Media: Retrospect and Prospect

By H.K.Madhusudhan Rao

MBA,(CS)Head of the Department ,MBA

Shri Sai Institute of Engineering and TechnologyVadiyampeta, Anantapur

“There is no chance of the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. It is not possible for a bird to fly on one wing.”

-Swami

Vivekananda

The role of Media : women’s issues

Media is the buzz word of the era of globalization. In fact, the rapid expansion of term and the concept of present form of globalization has been made possible only through the information revolution throughout the world.

The media of a country is the replica of its society. From the early 60’s till yet, various mass Medias like films, documentaries, advertisements, and prints are portraying various genres of women’s image. As the society is experiencing certain dynamic changes, the reflection of women in Indian media is also facing various transitions

Women in moviesThe film industry holds a larger share of

audience attraction and thus is capable enough to reform and transform the society

As a powerful socializing agent, media has become an important tool as well as site of struggle for women seeking to eliminate sexism and violence against women. The role of media remains crucial in communicating and popularizing women’s issues, concerns, and actions from women’s perspective.

Women in journalism

When journalism took roots in India as a new profession, the number of women in journalism was very less compared to other professions. Journalism was not much considered as the job of a woman since it included late-night shifts, adventurous and often dangerous situations, bold aspects etc.

But now, that notion about journalism is definitely changing the views. Now more women are coming to the profession. Some areas of journalism, especially anchoring, news reading, reporting etc are considered more suitable for women than for men.

India’s first woman photo-journalist Homai Vyarawala has many important shots of pre-Independence days to her credit. The former Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was one of her favorite subjects.

In a male-dominated world, Barkha Dutt has portrayed fierce journalism through her coverage of the Kargil war and the 2004 Tsunami. 

Women in serialsSerials are depicting women and young females involved in conspiracy, premarital, extra – marital, post material illicit affairs, wearing costly, heavy golden and diamond jewelry , little care about any thing else than the individual matters and at all not even word about the outside world.

What serials want to make?

India has high ethical and cultural values. Does India want young girls to be like characteristics of goodness Sita, legendaries MS subba lakshmi, Kalpana Chawla, Sunita Williams, Ms Mamta Banerjee, Madam Curie or to inculcate negative values of being unreliable, malicious and cunning in our relationship? There is a need for a serious analysis of this issue.

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