Negotiating Communication Rights

Case Studies from India

Communication Rights is a key issue in contemporary societies, especially in a country like India, which faces major communication deficits. Negotiating Communication Rights explores some of the most important aspects of communication rights movements in India.

Beginning with the theoretical aspects of communication rights, the book deals with five case studies related to significant movements of our times, namely, the Right to Information, Free and Open Source Software, Women and Media, Community Radio, and Citizen Journalism. It also analyses the complexity of specific rights issues in India, such as women's rights, citizen activism and the role of media.

The book explores the processes through which ordinary citizens have developed spaces for self-expression-a concept synonymous with media democratisation. The author argues for the need for streamlining of communication rights movements in India and for an India-specific framework for communication rights.