---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: naiyar azam <naiyar_jmi2005@...>
Date: 7 Jan 2008 21:45
Subject: [DevelopmentCommUnicationInSouthAsia] A girls news channel in Bihar
To: DevelopmentCommUnicationInSouthAsia@yahoogroups.com


Abhay Mohan Jha

Sunday, January 6, 2008 (Chand-Kewari, Muzaffarpur)

A team of four girls in a village in Muzaffarpur in Bihar have started
a small revolution, launching their own television channel,
highlighting issues like deep-rooted superstition and lack of
development. Most importantly, giving voice to women in an area where
they are the most powerless.

Appan Samachar, weekly news capsule in Hindi and Bhojpuri. An
initiative by four village girls, aged between 15 and 20, who prefer
to call it a television channel instead.

Local problems are the story ideas at brainstorming news meetings and
the girls go out on shoots.

The reports are shown on portable TV sets through VCDs at weekly village haats.

Ever since the venture began two months ago, the girls have
highlighted many issues, ranging from prevalence of superstition to
exposing inadequacies in development.

And, they are making an impact.

''Due to the work being done by these girls, considering it
immediate, we implement those (development) work, immediately,'' said
Vinod Sah, Head, Chand-Kewari Panchayat.

Chand-Kewari, like any other remote village has its share of problems.
It does not even have electricity, proper roads and superstition runs
deep.

''We felt the need to compile our village problems and report them,''
said Anita, reporter, Appan Samachar.

''Those opposing this are now supporting us, they agree that a channel
is running even our village and girls are running it,'' said Khushboo,
reporter, Appan Samachar.

Despite 50 per cent reservation for women in village panchayats,
gender inequality is rampant in these remote villages where women
remain voiceless.

It is here that the budding journalists have succeeded in highlighting
the problems rural women face.

Santosh Sharma, a former journalist turned social worker has extended
all possible support to the girls.

''Half the village population which could not speak in front of men
folk till yesterday. Appan Samachar girls have made these women
speak,'' said Santosh Sarang, former journalist.

This fabulous foursome, all-girls team of Appan News Channel is
heralding a media movement from below. It is a surge from within where
information is new found power and news broadcasting promises to
become an agent of change.

--
Frederick Noronha http://fn.goa-india.org Ph +91-832-2409490
Links from Goa: http://goalinks.livejournal.com/