Political Rhetoric and Media Narratives on Rape: Analysing the Impact of Political Communication and Media Narratives on Public Perception in India

Abstract

In India, the political discourse surrounding rape and sexual violence is a critical factor influencing both public perception and policy making. The portrayal of these issues in political rhetoric and media narratives often reflects and re-enforces societal attitudes, which can impact the effectiveness of legal and social responses towards sexual violence. However, the extent to which political communication shapes public perception is and policy reforms remain unexplored. The significance of this problem lies in its impact on both public attitudes toward sexual violence and the effectiveness of policy responses. Political leaders have the power to influence public opinion and the media’s coverage of certain issues and media narratives can shape political discourse, especially in a democracy like India, where the public is highly influenced by the information disseminated through both social and traditional media. Understanding how these two interact, one can realise how rape is constructed as a social problem and how policies addressing sexual violence are influenced by these narratives.