Academic Experts
Academic Experts
Meenakshi Mishra
Assistant Professor(Grade I)
meenakshi.mishra@jiit.ac.in
Biography

Dr. Meenakshi Mishra, is a researcher and academician with a strong foundation in Journalism, Mass Communication, and Development Studies. She holds a Ph.D. from Jawaharlal Nehru University, where her research focused on the ethnographic study of journalists in Chhattisgarh, exploring the socio-political and cultural dynamics of regional media practices. Prior to this, she has done her M.Phil in Development Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia, where her research work examined the gender digital divide among tribal women in Chhattisgarh — a subject that underscored my interest in media accessibility, gender, and social equity.

Her academic journey began with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Journalism and Mass Communication from Devi Ahilya College, Indore, laying the groundwork for commitment to media research and communication studies. She has also worked as a reporter for The Times of India, Bhopal, and Indore, for around one year, which has enriched her understanding of field journalism and newsroom dynamics.

Additionally, She has over two years of teaching experience at various colleges of Delhi University, where she has engaged with students on subjects ranging from media theory to research methodology. Her work is driven by a passion for bridging academic inquiry with real-world media challenges, especially in underrepresented regions and communities.

Research Highlights

My research explores the intricate dynamics of journalism and communication in conflict-affected regions, with a specific focus on Chhattisgarh. A central theme of my work is the Challenges of Reporting in Maoist-Affected Areas of Chhattisgarh, where I examined the threats, censorship, and ethical dilemmas journalists face while covering insurgency. The study highlights the complex interplay between the state, security forces, and extremist groups, and its impact on press freedom and journalists’ safety.I have also investigated the role of Digital Journalism in Conflict-Affected Areas, analyzing how digital tools and citizen journalism are transforming reportage from remote and underreported zones. This includes evaluating the opportunities and risks of mobile-based reporting and the use of social media to bypass traditional editorial constraints. An important dimension of my research is the Gender Digital Divide among Tribal Women in Chhattisgarh. This study investigates the limited digital access and participation of tribal women in media and information networks. It reveals how socio-cultural, economic, and infrastructural barriers hinder their engagement with digital platforms, deepening their marginalization in both communication and development processes. My work on the History of Journalism in Chhattisgarh contextualizes these current challenges by tracing the evolution of the regional press, while Reporting Insurgency: A Study of Print Media in Chhattisgarh critically analyzes how conflict narratives are constructed in local newspapers. Together, these research contributions offer a comprehensive understanding of media practices, conflict reporting, and communication inequality in one of India's most sensitive regions.

Areas Of Interest
  • political economy of print media
  • print media in Chhattisgarh
  • digital divide and gender
  • digital divide among tribal women
  • media economics
  • development journalism
  • conflict reporting.
Publications
  1. Mishra, Meenakshi, (2020), “Challenges of Reporting in Insurgency-Affected Areas and Digital Media”. Pragyaan: Journal of Mass Communication, Dehradun.
  2. Mishra, Meenakshi (2020), “Freedom of Speech in Insurgency Affected areas of Chhattisgarh”. Communication for Social Change, National Media Conclave online journal, 2021-2022, Utkal University.