Facebook could be considered a global platform for producing, consuming, and distributing satire and political complaints. At the same time, in its nature, it also resembles the format of the old style of local gatherings of a Chaupal.

Although content is consumed as satire or as pure entertainment, it can often still be a kind of propaganda, fuelling trolling and harassment.

In this event, we will explore when the political language of serious and formal journalism becomes satirical. We will also look at satirical political content on Facebook – including video clips, memes and images, exploring the strategies behind the commercial use of this content and how content engages and creates revenue.

The talk will also look at incidents of trolling and harassment in a political context, looking at how whilst these often appear to be satirical or political complaints, they stand apart from classical satirical expressions.

About the speaker

Vineet Kumar teaches media and literature in DR. B.R. Ambedkar College under Delhi University. He holds the Ph.D. degree on Language-Culture of Prime Time Programmes of Hindi Entertainment Channels. He was awarded Junior Research Fellowship from UGC in 2005. He has worked as a media professional for TV Today Network and Janmat News. His book Mandi Main Media (2012) deals with the market and media nexus. He writes regularly for Jansatta, Tehelka and many other Hindi publications on the issues of media, popular culture, and virtual space. He is a regular panelist for NDTV India, Doordarshan, Rajya Sabha TV. In 2013-14, he was awarded SOAS (London University) – CSDS (Delhi) short-term Fellowship for his research work on ‘Hinglish’ Culture and made a presentation on the same in the School of Oriental and African Studies in London in 2015.