Rural India India
Indian grassroots film-makers and non-governmental organisations plan to form a grassroots broadcasters' network to spread awareness on developmental and social issues in rural India using films. This was announced at a seminar -- Using video for development -- organised on August 24, 2005 by the New Delhi-based OneWorld South Asia (owsa), the Ahmedabad-based sewa (Self Employed Women's Association) and the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi.
Namrata Bali, general secretary sewa, said: "We have used video for teaching, training, informing, recording testimonies of women and even for court hearings. Barely-literate women, some of who stay in slums, have made these films''. Development journalist Rahul Dev said , "Unless the news is sensational -- farmers suicides or starvation deaths -- the mainstream media does not pick it up." "The way out is to get advertisers, proprietors and the marketing people on one platform. Sensitising only the mainstream journalists, without reaching out to the other players in the media, will not help," he added., Basheerhamad Shadrach, director, owsa was, however, not as optimistic. "Video can be a very powerful medium of creating awareness on development issues. But we might still find it difficult to mainstream these films," he said.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.