Growing up, I rarely questioned the history taught at school. It wasn’t until I began reading books, watching the news, and scrolling through social media that I stumbled upon a whole new world—access to knowledge shaped not only by the oppressors, but also by the oppressed. I discovered alternative perspectives on history and current issues, and learned far more than what was offered in mandated educational institutions. Much of what we are taught is shaped by the perspectives of the privileged claiming to present “an objective image” of past events. In the current age of endless information, critical thinking and the ability to seek out knowledge through independent research are crucial skills to see past the narratives being set by the authorities.
Access to different forms of media has allowed people platforms to voice their stories and connect with others. The Irish find themselves in the Palestinian struggle against genocide. The brutal rapes and killings of the of the people of Sudan are exposed with reports that women are killing themselves to avoid going through sexual violence. Kashmiris remain caged in a prison within their own homeland. The superficial dominant coverage of Kashmir as a tourist destination in an attempt to drive attention from the military occupation of the people, is simultaneously joined by the voices of Kashmiris documenting their oppression in the media. Stand With Kashmir is one such movement started by Kashmiris which has provided an authentic voice of the oppressed against the mainstream media dedicated to suppressing them.
New Media, such as video-sharing services like Youtube, have also allowed independent journalists to expose corruption and violation of human rights. Global news can be accessed about anywhere, from anywhere. Journalists go undercover in besieged and authoritarian countries, bringing atrocities to light. Despite limited coverage, documentaries and testimonies from defectors who have managed to escape reveal the North Korean regime’s propaganda and subjugation of North Koreans. Documentaries have exposed the harsh living conditions in Palestine where segregation is rampant. In India, mining regions in Jharkhand and Odisha have been documented for systemic neglect, where child labour persists and death tolls rises silently. Many documentaries have also exposed human trafficking which happens in plain daylight in numerous countries. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the long and painful history of colonial exploitation has been documented, with the marginalised still fighting for dignity and justice. The Congo is one of the largest producers of coltan and other minerals, used in making cell phones. Learning the truth behind the origin of technology we use daily—built on child labour and life-threatening conditions—made me look at my phone differently, it was no longer just another tool, but a product of a deeply unjust system.
Ever since October 2023, when the genocide of the Palestinians entered mainstream news coverage, the call for #FreePalestine has been joined by #FreeSudan and #FreeCongo among many other movements calling for freedom on social media. Echoing Martin Luther King’s quote “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” those oppressed by the western powers have connected beyond borders in their shared fight for freedom, allowing their voices to spread even more. People who were once only aware of the oppression faced by Palestinians have now also become aware of the struggles of those in Congo and many other places.
The stories of the oppressed travel far and wide, beyond geographical and language barriers. Kavya Karnatac (KK Create) is one such Indian journalist whose investigative journalism has given a voice to the marginalized and exposed the dire conditions they are forced to live in. With over two million followers on Instagram and three million subscribers on Youtube, her videos garner millions of views, providing a platform to those the mainstream media ignores. From documenting the most crowded slum in the world in Dharavi, Mumbai to the biggest coal mining city in India in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, the young journalist brings pride to the name of journalism.
Translation is another such instrument which has opened doors for the oppressed to express themselves beyond language barriers. Dalits—especially Dalit women— have found a voice in the media. One such voice is that of Indian Dalit novelist Bama. Her work, Sangati, details the experiences of Dalit women from birth to old age. The translation by Lakshmi Holmström has helped bridge across barriers that the oppressors have long used to subjugate. Casteism is an evil which is interwoven in Indian society. The current society is a product of the patriarchal framework that has laced this country since time immemorial. Sangati is a seminal work which tells us about the fate of a Dalit woman, which is determined before birth–the difference in treatment between girls and boys, men and women, the expectations, and the lived reality—all from a Dalit woman's perspective. The days of the oppressors driving the narrative are long over.
Social media especially has also been instrumental in breaking down misinformation shared by mainstream media. Misleading and biased news by popular networks like CNN have been publicly called out. A journalist working at CNN told Al Jazeera of an “embarrassing moment” for the media organisation when they claimed to have proof that the Palestinian resistance group Hamas was using an Israeli-bombed hospital in Gaza to hide Israeli captives. The document, written in Arabic, presented as the proof was alleged to be a roster of Hamas members watching over the captives. Despite warnings from colleges about the document actually being a calendar, the footage was still aired.
Even when events highlighting oppression make big headlines, there are those who choose to ignore the oppression or remain “neutral” on the issue and those who choose to learn and join the call against it. The voices of the oppressed in all shapes and forms—books, films, videos, posts, pictures, art, clothes and more—will never truly be extinguished. The claws of propaganda run deep in the media landscape, but the rise of social media, greater access to press and publishing, has created a space where such claims can be questioned, debunked, and the truth can finally come to light. In an age where information flows freely, the power lies with us to amplify the voices of the oppressed, hold those responsible accountable, and demand a world where justice prevails.
Sidra Aman is a student pursuing EnglishLiteraturefrom Jamia Millia Islamia.
Edited by Omama Abu Talha
