Media
Media development action with informed and engaged societies
Media
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Speak Out India

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Produced by Video Volunteers, this half-hour weekly programme presented 6-7 community-specific news stories from all over India covering subjects such as conflict and corruption. The show ran for 13 episodes in April/May 2011. Through these stories, local people shared with NewsX's viewers their own perspectives about various policies and their implementation, as well as the real status of development in their communities.

Communication Strategies

This community media initiative revolved around the capacity-building and involvement of the economically poor so that they may share their voices via television. The correspondents of Speak Out India - people from economically poor rural and slum communities - were selected and trained by Video Volunteers (VV). The news station, NewsX, recognised these personnel as legitimate news producers and paid them for their news reports. Airing to a national audience, "Speak Out India" appeared at 5:30pm on Saturdays and 11am on Sundays. Click here to watch the episodes.

Development Issues

Economic Development.

Key Points

Jahangir Pocha, NewsX Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said about the show: "Although many TV channels have broadcast citizen's journalism programs, 'Speak Out India' is the first instance where the entire content is produced by slum and village communities. The communities are not just being heard here, but are producers and therefore, active role-players in the media. We are thrilled to be able to offer a platform for these unique voices to be heard."

Partners

NewsX paid VV for the stringer rate in India for each story. Although the NewsX show is over, as of June 2012, VV has a partnership with: CNN IBN, the Indian CNN affiliate; Tehelka, an Indian news magazine; and Yahoo, for content delivery.

Sources

Emails from Jessica Mayberry to The Communication Initiative on January 13 2011, January 27 2012, and June 15 2012; and NewsX website, January 27 2012.