Intersectional challenges in journalism: The influence of caste, class and gender on safety and workplace experiences of Dalit women journalists in India.

This study critically investigates the intersectional challenges faced by Dalit women journalists in India, focusing on how caste, gender, and class collectively shape their professional experiences, safety risks, and representation within the media industry. Employing qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews with twelve Dalit women journalists across mainstream, vernacular, and independent media, the research reveals systemic exclusions such as discriminatory beat assignments, microaggressions, and near absence from leadership roles, compounded by heightened online and offline harassment. Grass-roots platforms like Khabar Lahariya emerge as vital spaces for resistance and empowerment, though they face financial instability and institutional marginalization. The study integrates intersectionality theory, feminist media theory, and critical political economy of media to argue for institutional reforms—such as inclusive hiring, anti-discrimination policies, and equitable resource allocation—to foster diversity, safety, and equity in Indian journalism.