Community Video Units
Channel 19 currently features videos produced by ‘Community Video Units’ in India. Each Community Video Unit (or ‘CVU’ as we call them) has between 6-10 people from the slums or villages who are trained as full time Producers. Every six weeks or so each CVU makes a new video, on a topic decided by the community, and then they screen it on widescreen projectors. Between 150-400 people come each night to the screenings and discussions. Read HERE about how the CVU works.
Each CVU has a unique perspective and background—there are very rural CVUs, very urban CVUs, and CVUs that are very influenced by the goals of a particular community or by the NGO supporting. Some make their films from the perspective of women, Tribals, Muslims or Dalits. Get to know each CVU in detail by reading their individual CVU Pages at left. Or watch the Community Producer Profiles and here first-hand about the work’s impact.
Apna TV, Mumbai, India—promoted by the organization Akshara in Mumbai, Apna TV’s five young producers are working to bring the issues of Mumbai’s youth to audiences in the slums and to mainstream television audiences.
Manyam Praja Video, Andhra Pradesh, India—Manyam Praja Video, meaning “Forest People’s Video,” is promoted by the NGO Laya. This all Tribal Community Video Unit raises awareness about the Tribal culture and rights of India’s original habitants, and works in an extremely isolated rural area that is largely devoid of other media, whether newspapers or television.
Apna Malak Maa, Gujarat, India—This Community Video Unit has an all Dalit team. Supported by the organization Navsarjan, the CVU’s mission is to create a dialogue between ‘upper’ and ‘lower’ castes in an extremely caste-ridden part of Gujarat, and also to project examples of Dalit leadership on the issues of poverty that are common to all.
Samvad, Ahmedabad, India—Samvad, which means ‘dialogue,’ provides critical information of basic amenities and services to slum dwellers in Ahmedabad, thereby strengthening government campaigns and campaigns undertaken by its promoting NGO, Saath.
Hamari Awaaz, Mumbai, India—The mission of the CVU Hamari Awaaz, which means ‘our voice,’ is to ensure that the voice and the needs of slum residents are not left out of the discussions about the future of Mumbai, one of the fastest growing and globalizing cities on the planet. They are supported by the NGO Yuva, who have been working with slum dwellers for years to help them formulate their own action plans for the future of Mumbai.
Sakshi Media, Gujarat, India—Sakshi Media means ‘Witness’ Media. The Producers in this CVU were all witnesses to terrible violence in their district in 2002, when communal riots led to the deaths of more than 2000 Muslims in their state. They are supported by the NGO Yuvshakti, who believe that this half-Hindu and half-Muslim team can build unity amongst Hindus and Muslims, by uniting them around their common development challenges.
You can click here to learn more about the CVU model.
Community Video Units
Click on the CVU to view the details of Community Producers working with our Partner NGOs.