Dalits in journalism and writing: From past to present

Abstract

French philosopher Michel Foucault popularized the thought that history is written under the shade of power in his theory of power and truth. Writing is an art to properly communicate one's own thought, feeling, ideas or information, problem/issues, solution or key takeaway to the readers or audience which ultimately contribute to history making. Likewise, journalism, the fourth organ of state, has been a very crucial field to make the people aware on the pertinent issues of the contemporary time which is usually said to be a mirror of the society that should present the voices and choices of the people whether one may be rich or poor, ruler or ruled, manufacturer or consumer, lord or serf, bourgeoisie or proletariat, capitalist or labor/employee, haves or have nots, male or female, Dalits or Non-Dalits in case of Nepal. This short research based article entitled "Dalits in Journalism/Writing: From Past to Present" tries to minutely investigate the Dalit history of journalism and/or writing from the commencement or writing history from the general public in state politics. It also tries to answer the questions on how Dalits writing/history has been erased, how has it been negated and hidden and how has it been manipulated and twisted in a disgraceful manner. This research further tries to dig out whole Dalits’ history of writing, journalism, its contributors from past to present, including the print and online as well as television and radio owned or operated by Dalits as an Editor-in- Chief and/or Managing Director or Publisher of the media outlet as their physical and content representation have been very nominal. It draws conclusion and key takeaways as a recommendation. This research employs an empirical method by desk review, secondary data collection and analysis. Descriptive and analytical tools are applied.