ABSTRACT
One is often referred to as the world’s largest democracy, while the other is often celebrated as an example of a country that managed to overcome centuries of colonial and racial oppression to make a peaceful transition to democratic rule. Both these countries also boast of vibrant and independent media. However, India and South Africa continue to share the challenges of social, political, and economic inequality that are characterized by widespread poverty, which raises questions about the access to and participation of the majority of the population in the mediated public sphere.
