Chapman, Jane (2010) The origins of a public voice for marginalised workers in French India, 1935-37. Web Journal of French Media Studies (WJFMS), 8 . ISSN 1460-6550

	Microsoft Word CHAPMAN_FMRG19_Web_journal_article_v.3_21.10.10.docx - Whole Document Restricted to Repository staff only Download (58Kb)
Preview	PDF CHAPMAN_FMRG19_Web_journal_article_v.3_21.10.10.pdf - Whole Document Download (134Kb)

Abstract

This article examines how far indigenous communications contributed towards the origins of anti-colonialism in French India, as an empowering voice. They are seen as an example of a politicising move from private to public sphere via print communications. The years 1935-7 reveal a saga of severe economic exploitation, violence and political struggle - a trajectory of social conflict in the public sphere. Local archives, including print publications such as the workers’ Tamil paper Swandanthiram are used as a prism for the analysis of a forgotten episode in the history of a neglected corner of French empire. This article traces the development of the workers’ public voice and characterises this as a form of advocacy journalism, compatible with John Downing’s categorisation of ‘lateral’ and ‘vertical’ campaigning in ‘radical alternative’ publications (1984; 2001,p.x). The way that the move from private to public spheres happened, it is argued, reflects the roots of anti-colonialism communication - at a time when the Left in France was more receptive to anti-fascism as a campaigning tool.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This article examines how far indigenous communications contributed towards the origins of anti-colonialism in French India, as an empowering voice. They are seen as an example of a politicising move from private to public sphere via print communications. The years 1935-7 reveal a saga of severe economic exploitation, violence and political struggle - a trajectory of social conflict in the public sphere. Local archives, including print publications such as the workers’ Tamil paper Swandanthiram are used as a prism for the analysis of a forgotten episode in the history of a neglected corner of French empire. This article traces the development of the workers’ public voice and characterises this as a form of advocacy journalism, compatible with John Downing’s categorisation of ‘lateral’ and ‘vertical’ campaigning in ‘radical alternative’ publications (1984; 2001,p.x). The way that the move from private to public spheres happened, it is argued, reflects the roots of anti-colonialism communication - at a time when the Left in France was more receptive to anti-fascism as a campaigning tool.
Keywords:	press, protest, Subbiah, textile strikes, Freedom Movement, Nehru, Gandhi, French India, Pondicherry, newspaper censorship, low wages, nationalism, private and public spheres, Godart, Downing
Subjects:	R European Languages, Literature and related subjects > R130 French Society and Culture P Mass Communications and Documentation > P990 Mass Communications and Documentation not elsewhere classified V Historical and Philosophical studies > V146 Modern History 1920-1949 V Historical and Philosophical studies > V242 Indian History P Mass Communications and Documentation > P590 Journalism not elsewhere classified V Historical and Philosophical studies > V320 Social History V Historical and Philosophical studies > V310 Economic History R European Languages, Literature and related subjects > R100 French studies V Historical and Philosophical studies > V221 French History P Mass Communications and Documentation > P900 Others in Mass Communications and Documentation P Mass Communications and Documentation > P305 Paper-based Media studies R European Languages, Literature and related subjects > R190 French studies not elsewhere classified P Mass Communications and Documentation > P390 Media studies not elsewhere classified P Mass Communications and Documentation > P500 Journalism
Divisions:	College of Arts > Faculty of Media, Humanities & Performance > Lincoln School of Journalism
Depositing User:	Jane Chapman
Date Deposited:	31 Oct 2010 15:51
Last Modified:	13 Mar 2013 08:49
URI:	http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/3555

Actions (login required)

View Item