Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Osmania University Post Graduate College, Siddipet Telangana State India

Abstract

Developmental processes have several contradictions and poses difficult questions to different sections of society. The Telangana state in India, formed after a prolonged agitation, witnessed a particular discourse, strongly opposing dominant form of development process as was witnessed in united Andhra Pradesh. There is opposition to mega projects involving massive displacement and focus was more on tank irrigation in agriculture sector with active people’s participation. The characteristic features of discourse during Telangana movement are nondispossession and non-displacement. The incumbent government has ignored these aspects and has planned several mega, medium and small irrigation projects on various rivers, involving massive displacement and this has attracted widespread resentment, in particular with the construction of Mallannasagar, a lift irrigation project in Medak district. This paper examines the contestations over the project, with government arguing in favour and people, non-party organizations and political parties strongly opposing the way government is going ahead with developmental projects displacing farmers and landless farmers. How these contestations of various parties are being portrayed in media needs to be looked into? Media should indulge in objective reporting in coverage of development projects and has it done that is what needs to be examined. How media represented the movement and what are the politics involved in the representation are studied. Coverage given by the media about the displacement issues are studied over a period of two years and does it have an impact in changing any policies as far as providing rehabilitation is concerned is also pondered upon?