Political activism and social media a critical study of Dalit blogs

Abstract

Information Technology has always influenced the culture and human society since the beginning. No one can deny that the printing press had transformed the role of reader and writer forever. Similarly, Digital Information Technology has changed we read and write a text. The present thesis is an attempt to trace the effects of new media technology that has brought about awareness, social change or culture of dissent over a period of time. The critics such Raymond William and Marshall McLuhan differ on the way technology affects the culture and society. For McLuhan technology in itself can bring transformation in the culture of a particular society. On the other hand, Williams is of the view that it is not the technology but the way it is used, brings some kind of change in the culture and society to which he also refers to as social shaping of technology. While deliberating on the impact of new media technology on literature, journalism and activism techniques, and the thesis attempts to evaluate the role blogging has played in the field of Dalit studies. It addresses questions such as whether there is any difference between Dalit literature in print and Dalit blogs in terms of form and content. What are the implications of writing news through blogs, and are blogs an effective medium to protest and organise movements. as activism in the context of Dalit blogs on two levels: as a medium for organisation and as resistance writing. The blogs run by Dalit organisations are used as a tool of organising and mobilising masses. With the help of dynamic features and technical sophistication of blogs, the activists seek to involve people to ensure support for the marginalised sections worldwide. In this regard, Dalit blogosphere is a sort of permanent space online which brings a sense of stability in the movement. newline