Papers by Madhavi Ravikumar
European Political Science, 2024
In a late October 2022 international YouGov public opinion poll, findings indicated that more Ind... more In a late October 2022 international YouGov public opinion poll, findings indicated that more Indians attributed responsibility for the Russian invasion of Ukraine to ‘the West’ rather than Russia (28% compared to 27%, while 45% indicated both were accountable or expressed uncertainty). This study seeks to elucidate why such
perceptions prevail, drawing upon the longstanding strategic partnership between the former Soviet Union and, subsequently, Russia, with India dating back to the 1950s and the portrayal of the Russian invasion within Indian broadcast news media. We argue that the media coverage of the conflict exhibits three main frames: the invasion as an attack by Russia on Ukrainian sovereignty, an anti-West pro-Russia frame, and a perspective aligning with Indian national interests. Both international and domestic proponents of these frames actively seek to shape the narrative
presented, with media organizations deciding which frames to prioritize and which political actors to endorse. Consequently, we argue that the news media plays a pivotal role in shaping public perceptions of the conflict, influencing the Indian government’s approach toward the war.
Journalism Studies, 2024
Since 2014, India has experienced a shift towards a new phase of
democracy, often described as an... more Since 2014, India has experienced a shift towards a new phase of
democracy, often described as an “ethnic democracy.” Political
theorists argue that this phase promotes a Hindu conception of
the nation, contrasting with the secularism embedded in the
Indian Constitution, and is marked by attacks on ethnic and
religious minorities, particularly Muslims. Some media scholars
suggest that controlling mass media has been a crucial strategy
in generating public consent for hegemonic Hindu nationalism
and contend that the media’s subservience to political elites
extends beyond the current government to previous political
elites, such as the Gandhi dynasty. They challenge Bourdieu’s idea
of a field governed by its own rules, asserting that in India,
political and economic forces often align to impose conformity,
indicating weak rational-legal authority. However, this paper
argues that such views overstate media subservience and
homogeneity. Instead, this paper provides evidence of diverse
representations within mainstream media, demonstrating that
there is scope for ideological contestation and adherence to
professional norms. This study employs content analysis to
examine media portrayals of the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act
(CAA) protests, using frame analysis as the theoretical framework.
Media Watch, 2018
The potential to reach out to large mass of people in considerably shorter periods of time, thoug... more The potential to reach out to large mass of people in considerably shorter periods of time, though resulted in acceleration of news production, it also paved way to a sudden boom in circulation of fake news. The attempt made here is to understand the various factors that influence the propagation of fake news. With the assistance of an online quantitative survey, the demographic factors, social media habits, news consumption habits and fake news exposure of 163 people are closely observed to identify any sort of patterns across it. Further, the thematic aspects of the fake news items that are come across by maximum number of respondents are put into discussion, to identify the elements that determine popularity. It concludes with stressing the need to have a more nuanced understanding of onlinecommunities for a comprehensive understanding of 'fake news dynamics'.
Books by Madhavi Ravikumar
University of Westminster Press, 2025
In the midst of a paradigm shift towards digital platforms in India’s news landscape, this chapte... more In the midst of a paradigm shift towards digital platforms in India’s news landscape, this chapter examines challenges faced by Doordarshan, India’s dominant public television broadcaster, in sustaining its relevance amid a shift towards digital platforms. The surge in online news consumption is driven by factors such as expanding digital infrastructure, increased smartphone penetration, and evolving youth preferences. Doordarshan’s sluggish adaptation, state control, and resource constraints hinder competitiveness with private channels and non- legacy digital players. Its crucial role in reaching remote areas underscores its national significance. This chapter explores evolving news consumption patterns, Doordarshan’s role in India’s media ecosystem, key challenges it faces, and strategies it has adopted. The authors emphasise Doordarshan’s importance in fulfilling a public service obligation that is complicated by structural issues in the context of a rapidly changing news industry.
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Papers by Madhavi Ravikumar
perceptions prevail, drawing upon the longstanding strategic partnership between the former Soviet Union and, subsequently, Russia, with India dating back to the 1950s and the portrayal of the Russian invasion within Indian broadcast news media. We argue that the media coverage of the conflict exhibits three main frames: the invasion as an attack by Russia on Ukrainian sovereignty, an anti-West pro-Russia frame, and a perspective aligning with Indian national interests. Both international and domestic proponents of these frames actively seek to shape the narrative
presented, with media organizations deciding which frames to prioritize and which political actors to endorse. Consequently, we argue that the news media plays a pivotal role in shaping public perceptions of the conflict, influencing the Indian government’s approach toward the war.
democracy, often described as an “ethnic democracy.” Political
theorists argue that this phase promotes a Hindu conception of
the nation, contrasting with the secularism embedded in the
Indian Constitution, and is marked by attacks on ethnic and
religious minorities, particularly Muslims. Some media scholars
suggest that controlling mass media has been a crucial strategy
in generating public consent for hegemonic Hindu nationalism
and contend that the media’s subservience to political elites
extends beyond the current government to previous political
elites, such as the Gandhi dynasty. They challenge Bourdieu’s idea
of a field governed by its own rules, asserting that in India,
political and economic forces often align to impose conformity,
indicating weak rational-legal authority. However, this paper
argues that such views overstate media subservience and
homogeneity. Instead, this paper provides evidence of diverse
representations within mainstream media, demonstrating that
there is scope for ideological contestation and adherence to
professional norms. This study employs content analysis to
examine media portrayals of the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act
(CAA) protests, using frame analysis as the theoretical framework.
Books by Madhavi Ravikumar