Indigenous voices remain marginalised in Indian media: Report

A new report titled ‘The State of Indigenous Journalists in Asia’ has offered an extensive look into the realities faced by Indigenous journalists in India, highlighting issues ranging from underrepresentation in mainst ream media and language erasure to discrimination, financial struggles, censorship, and the growing importance of Indigenous-led storytelling platforms.

The report, prepared by the Policy Research Team and published by the Knowledge for Development Foundation, examines the condition of Indigenous journalists across Cambodia, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Indigenous Peoples and Media Representation in India

The report notes that the Indian government does not officially recognise Indigenous Peoples as “Indigenous Peoples,” instead classifying them under the constitutional category of “Scheduled Tribes.”

According to the last official census, these communities make up around eight percent of India’s population. In mainland India, they are commonly referred to as “Adivasis,” while in northeastern India, they are often identified as “tribes.”

Although the Indian Constitution provides safeguards and protections for Indigenous communities, the report argues that these protections have had a limited impact on the ground.

Indigenous communities across both mainland and northeastern India continue to face threats linked to mining, infrastructure projects, militarisation, and armed conflict. In conflict-hit regions, the report states, Indigenous communities often become victims of violence from both state forces and armed opposition groups.

The report further argues that Indigenous representation in India’s mainstream media remains “almost negligible,” with Indigenous-run media initiatives still very limited in number.

Language Loss and Structural Barriers

One of the major concerns raised in the report is the linguistic challenge faced by Indigenous communities in establishing media platforms.

It states that only two Indigenous languages have received official recognition from the government in recent years, while many other Adivasi languages continue to face systemic neglect and gradual extinction.

The report also alleges that the close relationship between media institutions, industrial interests, and government structures often results in Indigenous concerns receiving limited coverage.

Citing previous research, it states that some mainstream media groups with investments in mining and power sectors are more sympathetic to industrial interests and less likely to highlight protests or grievances raised by Indigenous communities affected by such projects.

Among Indigenous-language print publications, the report notes that newspapers such as Johar Sahiya, published in Nagpuri, and Disom Khobor, published in Santali, once served as important platforms for Indigenous voices. However, several publications in languages such as Kurukh, Sadri, and Kharia reportedly shut down because of financial difficulties.

Rise of Community Media and Documentary Storytelling

While India has had public radio through All India Radio for decades, community radio was only introduced in the 21st century. Initially restricted to universities and institutions, policy changes in 2006 allowed civil society organisations to run community radio stations.

The report highlights several Indigenous-focused community media initiatives, including Asur Akhra Mobile Radio and Chala Ho Gaon Mein in Jharkhand, which aimed to promote community empowerment and development.

Documentary filmmaking has also become an important medium for Indigenous storytelling and resistance. Indigenous filmmaker Biju Toppo is cited for his documentaries on land acquisition, mining, and displacement, including Development Flows from the Barrel of the Gun and Pratirodh (Resistance). Other Indigenous filmmakers mentioned include Niranjan Kujur and Lipika Darai.

The report also notes that social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter have increasingly become important spaces for Indigenous journalism and language revitalisation.

Platforms such as Koya TV and Ho Samaj Live are cited as examples of Indigenous-led digital initiatives working to preserve Indigenous languages while amplifying community voices.

Indigenous Journalists Speak About Discrimination

The report contains interviews with several Indigenous journalists who describe exclusion and stereotyping within mainstream media institutions.

Journalist and poet Jacinta Kerketta said her decision to pursue journalism was shaped by personal experiences of violence and discrimination linked to land disputes involving her family. After studying journalism in Ranchi, she worked for a daily newspaper but said editors were reluctant to allow Indigenous journalists to report on Indigenous issues, fearing they would not be “neutral.”

Nina Sangma, who belongs to the Garo community and works with the International Land Coalition, also spoke about structural barriers within Indian media. She said entry into media spaces is often shaped by caste, class, and privileged networks, making it difficult for people from marginalised communities to access editorial opportunities.

Sangma argued that Indigenous journalism should not merely produce “safe stories” about culture and tradition, but must also confront historical oppression and power structures.

She criticised tokenistic coverage of Indigenous issues and called for Indigenous-led media spaces, newsroom accountability, and stronger collaboration with Indigenous journalists.

The report also quotes Sangma describing Indigenous journalists as “memory keepers,” responsible not only for reporting news but also for preserving oral histories, collective memory, and resistance against imperialism and cultural erasure.

Pressures, Censorship, and Lack of Institutional Support

The report highlights the vulnerability faced by Indigenous journalists working in conflict areas or covering human rights abuses. It references the 2015 arrest of journalist Somaru Nag, who was accused of aiding Maoists while reporting on human rights violations in Bastar. He was later acquitted after spending a year in jail.

The report argues that Indigenous journalists are frequently used by larger media organisations to gather information in remote regions without receiving adequate recognition or compensation, while urban upper-caste journalists often receive awards and visibility based on such reporting.

Indigenous Media in Northeast India

The report notes that Indigenous-run media is relatively more visible in northeastern India compared to other regions, though representation in mainstream newsrooms remains limited. It mentions publications such as The Morung Express and The Shillong Times as examples of Indigenous-run media initiatives.

Helvellyn, who runs The Drongo Express, spoke about the financial challenges of sustaining independent Indigenous media. She said mainstream media rarely covered issues affecting the Karbi community, prompting local journalists to create their own platform.

The report also discusses the experiences of Makepeace Sithlhou, an independent journalist from Manipur who has written extensively on social justice and Indigenous issues. Sithlhou described mainstream media institutions as deeply exclusionary and “Brahminical” in their approach to issues such as environment and social justice.

Call for Structural Change

Indigenous journalism in India continues to face major challenges, including a lack of infrastructure, digital inequality, weak financial support, newsroom exclusion, and limited editorial freedom, the report says.

It concludes by calling for stronger Indigenous representation in mainstream media, the creation of Indigenous affairs desks, newsroom diversity policies, collaboration with Indigenous journalists, and greater support for Indigenous-language journalism and community-led media initiatives.

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