The Multivalence of an Epic: Retelling the Ramayana in South India and Southeast Asia

Editors: Beate Illg, Beatrice Dernbach

Free and fair media are at the heart of any democratic set up. A thriving field of journalism and zealous and ethical journalists in that sense become torch bearers of a brighter and promising tomorrow. In this light, the status of journalists, the most important actors in the field becomes increasingly important as a matter of study. They act as gatekeepers of information that is flooding in the era of new media, a wave that is not so new anymore. Their roles remain intact and even becomes prominent in the chaos of many-to-many communication.
Not concentrating on specific countries, selected contributions in the book reflect on the developments of media and journalism education across different countries. Introducing the book with an overview about the state-of-the-art of journalism education and the research on a meta level, the book moves on to talk about media studies in the Asian countries and in Arab world, the African States and Brazil.
The recent economic and social developments present both opportunities and risks for journalism. Freedom of expression and freedom of press, even in democratic countries, are under pressure. This book provides an international perspective on the different aspects of journalism – the situation in which journalists work, their working conditions, educational backgrounds, struggles and successes. It is aimed at an international public interested in the field of journalism and freedom of speech. It addresses journalists, trainers and academics. Furthermore, institutions in the field of development cooperation, education or cultural policy and cultural education are the focus of this work. Though the book is focused on journalism and journalism education in developing countries, contributions are from across the globe. This book is an interesting read for all those who care about a vital media landscape and an open democratic society.

Interested readers may write to us at mup@manipal.edu about purchasing the book.

Also available on

Author: Santhosh C, Vasudevan Baskaran Kartha

Biomedical spectroscopy is the output of the intensive discussions of the authors and the medical professionals of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University. The ?Centre for Laser Spectroscopy?, a centre for developing biomedical applications of laser spectroscopic methods, was established at Manipal University in 1997. The scientists of the Centre, together with the physicians, surgeons, and pathologists of the KMC, initiated a number of research programs in this area. The main aim of the Centre was to develop spectroscopic methods for early detection, screening, monitoring therapy and identification of disease markers, with special emphasis on various cancers, so that these techniques can be applied for routine healthcare applications. Outcome of these research activities are covered in the book. A common platform of information can provide a more open communication enabling faster and better evolution of the spectroscopic methods for biomedical applications.