Understanding Media Coverage During the Farmers’ Protests
The Farmers’ Protests became one of the most significant public movements in recent Indian history. Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana, and nearby states, protested against the three farm laws introduced by the government in 2020. The protests continued for months and received nationwide as well as international attention.
The farmers believed that the new laws could weaken the Minimum Support Price system and increase the control of large corporations over agriculture. On the other hand, the government stated that the laws were meant to modernize the agricultural sector and provide farmers with more opportunities. As the protests grew larger, media coverage around the issue also became more intense and divided.
Different media platforms presented the protests in different ways. Some channels focused on the struggles, demands, and emotional stories of the farmers, while others highlighted political conflict, road blockages, and public inconvenience. Social media also played a major role during the protests. Many people relied on Instagram, YouTube, and independent journalists for updates and ground reports instead of depending only on traditional news channels.
The protests also raised important questions about journalism and media ethics. Was the media showing the complete reality? Were rural voices being represented fairly? How important is ground reporting during public movements?
To understand how students viewed the media coverage of the Farmers’ Protests, I interacted with students from different schools at LPU and asked them about their awareness and opinions regarding the issue.
Student Voices on the Farmers’ Protests and Media Coverage
Poorv Sharma
School of Law
Q1. Did you follow the farmers’ protests through social media or news channels?
“Yes, mostly through both television news and social media. But I personally felt social media gave more ground level perspectives compared to prime-time debates.”
Q2. Do you think the media showed the struggles of farmers fairly?
“Not completely. Some channels focused more on political arguments rather than understanding why the farmers were protesting in the first place.”
Q3. How important is ground reporting during protests and public movements?
“It is extremely important because real reporting should come from the actual location instead of only studio discussions.”
Pawan Yadav
School of Law
Q1. Did you follow the farmers’ protests through social media or news channels?
“Yes. I followed updates regularly because the issue was affecting people across North India and was constantly being discussed online.”
Q2. Do you think the media showed the struggles of farmers fairly?
“I think some journalists did genuine reporting, but overall the coverage often became politically divided. Different channels were presenting very different narratives.”
Q3. How important is ground reporting during protests and public movements?
“Ground reporting helps people understand the human side of protests. Without it, audiences only see debates and headlines.”
Sameer Mishra
School of Law
Q1. Did you follow the farmers’ protests through social media or news channels?
“Yes, mostly through YouTube and social media clips because updates were available there very quickly.”
Q2. Do you think the media showed the struggles of farmers fairly?
“Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I noticed that certain media platforms focused more on conflict than on the actual demands of the farmers.”
Q3. How important is ground reporting during protests and public movements?
“It is necessary because journalists should show what people on the ground are actually experiencing rather than only discussing politics.”
Shweta Shah
School of Physical Education
Q1. Did you follow the farmers’ protests through social media or news channels?
“Yes, especially through Instagram and news channels. Since many students around us were discussing it, it was difficult not to follow the issue.”
Q2. Do you think the media showed the struggles of farmers fairly?
“I feel some emotional and personal stories of farmers were not highlighted enough. Many people only saw political discussions instead.”
Q3. How important is ground reporting during protests and public movements?
“Very important because audiences connect more when they see real stories and hear directly from affected people.”
Namrita
School of Fashion Design
Q1. Did you follow the farmers’ protests through social media or news channels?
“Yes, mostly through social media because updates and videos were constantly appearing online.”
Q2. Do you think the media showed the struggles of farmers fairly?
“I think coverage was mixed. Some platforms tried to explain the farmers’ concerns properly while others focused more on controversy.”
Q3. How important is ground reporting during protests and public movements?
“It helps create awareness and gives voice to people who may otherwise not be heard properly.”C
Conclusion
The Farmers’ Protests became more than just a political issue. They also became an important example of how media shapes public understanding during large public movements. Through television, newspapers, social media, and independent journalism, people across the country formed opinions about the protests in very different ways.
The responses shared by students from different schools at LPU reflect that many young people today are aware of the role media plays in influencing public perception. Most students believed that while some journalists genuinely tried to show the realities faced by farmers, parts of the media focused heavily on political conflict and debates instead of ground realities.
The discussions also highlighted the growing importance of social media and independent reporting in today’s media environment. Students emphasized that responsible journalism should focus on facts, balanced reporting, and the voices of people directly affected by the issue.
In a country where agriculture remains deeply connected to people’s lives and livelihoods, fair and ethical reporting becomes essential. The Farmers’ Protests showed that journalism is not only about reporting events but also about representing people’s realities honestly and responsibly.
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