The Citizen Journalist
In these days of the IT revolution, citizen journalism points to what the meaning of 'Free Speech' and 'sharing information' is all about.
Chhattisgarh (CG) is a small state in central India, carved out in the year 2000 for its predominantly indigenous population called Adivasis (original inhabitants). The Indian constitution lists them as “Scheduled Tribes,” constituting 8 percent of the population. 75% of the tribals live in the central region of India.
Adivasis are the most deprived section of Indian society, occupying the lower rungs on the development indicator ladder.
The tribes have little or no political voice. CGnet was launched to help them make their voices heard. CGnet is the people’s Web site of Chhattisgarh, where everybody is a journalist. It is a citizens’ journalism forum whose mission is the democratization of journalism, where journalism is not restricted only to journalists.
Currently, not only are there no professional tribal journalists in Chattisgarh, but there are no 'professional journalists' who can communicate with tribals directly. Literacy rates are low, because there is no education facility that teaches in any tribal language, despite provisions in the Indian constitution for affirmative action for tribals in jobs, education, and land issues. This has resulted in a divided society and an absence of dialogue between the tribal and non-tribal communities.
Community radio could be another solution, but the only radio station is the government-owned All India Radio, which does not broadcast any news bulletins in local tribal languages. Community Radio is still in its infancy in India, and largely run by Colleges or rich NGOs.
According to a survey by Delhi-based alternative media organization Charkha at the time of the start of CGnet, reporting on issues of common people in the local newspapers was an astonishingly low 2 percent.
Citizen journalists of CGnet have helped expose human rights violations that the mainstream press has missed. Some of the stories have been picked up by the mainstream media and attracted the attention of human rights activists.
Adivasis have a rich oral tradition. All their poetry and songs pass from one generation to the next orally. CGnet intends to record these oral treasures digitally in order to save their rich tribal languages and cultures.
CGnet has trained some young Adivasis in simple tricks of citizen journalism, such as how to record and convey their concerns over mobile phones using the built-in camera. These images are then uploaded on the Web site and discussed on the forum through e-mail.
Click here for the CGnet website and have a look. Do return here to leave your comment on what you experienced.
Similarly, every young person and not-so- old person can become a citizen journalist. Blog, comment, express your viewpoint, it doesn't matter whether you are from Bihar, Bundelkhnad, or the back of Bondookistan!
Chhattisgarh (CG) is a small state in central India, carved out in the year 2000 for its predominantly indigenous population called Adivasis (original inhabitants). The Indian constitution lists them as “Scheduled Tribes,” constituting 8 percent of the population. 75% of the tribals live in the central region of India.
Adivasis are the most deprived section of Indian society, occupying the lower rungs on the development indicator ladder.
The tribes have little or no political voice. CGnet was launched to help them make their voices heard. CGnet is the people’s Web site of Chhattisgarh, where everybody is a journalist. It is a citizens’ journalism forum whose mission is the democratization of journalism, where journalism is not restricted only to journalists.
Currently, not only are there no professional tribal journalists in Chattisgarh, but there are no 'professional journalists' who can communicate with tribals directly. Literacy rates are low, because there is no education facility that teaches in any tribal language, despite provisions in the Indian constitution for affirmative action for tribals in jobs, education, and land issues. This has resulted in a divided society and an absence of dialogue between the tribal and non-tribal communities.
Community radio could be another solution, but the only radio station is the government-owned All India Radio, which does not broadcast any news bulletins in local tribal languages. Community Radio is still in its infancy in India, and largely run by Colleges or rich NGOs.
According to a survey by Delhi-based alternative media organization Charkha at the time of the start of CGnet, reporting on issues of common people in the local newspapers was an astonishingly low 2 percent.
Citizen journalists of CGnet have helped expose human rights violations that the mainstream press has missed. Some of the stories have been picked up by the mainstream media and attracted the attention of human rights activists.
Adivasis have a rich oral tradition. All their poetry and songs pass from one generation to the next orally. CGnet intends to record these oral treasures digitally in order to save their rich tribal languages and cultures.
CGnet has trained some young Adivasis in simple tricks of citizen journalism, such as how to record and convey their concerns over mobile phones using the built-in camera. These images are then uploaded on the Web site and discussed on the forum through e-mail.Similarly, every young person and not-so- old person can become a citizen journalist. Blog, comment, express your viewpoint, it doesn't matter whether you are from Bihar, Bundelkhnad, or the back of Bondookistan!
Comments
I would like to congratulate you for excellent citizen journalism.
Jai ho!
The work initiated by CGnet in the
name of CITIZEN JOURNALISM is commendable. But the harsh reality is that it's lonely step is not enough for the upliftment of these deprived section of the society. It needs lots of honest work for the success.
Undoubtly, our constitution is quite generous to these not-happening section of the country. But what about those who are the so called heads of the country's political fraternity and are always engaged in serving their own political motives. Hope they will not forgot to shower their little grace on these voiceless people.
I personally feel that what CGnet has initiated, should be followed and supported by the government, media, and every single citizen of the country, if really any concern exists for these tribal community.
Saturday,February 13,2010