Abstract

India’s religious diversity has long been celebrated as the cornerstone of its democratic ethos and cultural richness. However this pluralism exists alongside deep-seated communal tensions that have occasionally erupted into violence and political discord. In the contemporary era media plays an increasingly influential role in shaping public discourse around religion identity and nationhood. While media has the power to promote understanding dialogue and tolerance it also possesses the capacity to incite hatred deepen divisions and reinforce stereotypes. This research paper examines how various forms of media—print television and digital—interact with the dual realities of religious pluralism and communalism in India. It explores the historical evolution of media narratives around religion the political economy of news production the role of social media in spreading misinformation and the ethical challenges faced by journalists in communally sensitive contexts. The paper argues that m