AudiencScapes

Hundreds of citizens from disadvantaged communities are now using video cameras to report on issues that affect them and their neighbors. With training from the Video Volunteers, local video producers are changing the dominant model of media in the country to make it more democratic and diverse. Paromita Pain reports.......

Democratic India’s rising economy has been perceived as a welcome counterforce to the rise of the neighboring, authoritarian and restrictive regime in China. But recent legislation on internet censorship in India represents one example on a growing list of government actions that increase surveillance of new media and shrink the overall space for dissent within Indian civil society. While the government signaled its willingness to reconsider the new rules on Monday of this week, advocates for internet freedom remain concerned. By Gayatri Murthy, AudienceScapes

The dynamic media sector in India enjoys unprecedented pluralism. At the same time, the country’s appetite for digital media and the increasing influence of corporations poses new challenges.

Relying on a strategy of community input and participation, a community radio station in Uttar Pradesh is changing the lives of villagers. The experience of City Montessori School radio illustrates the challenges and rewards of involving listeners in community radio.

India’s growing youth population has an online destination where young people are the reporters, editors and readers. The website’s founder hopes the site will engage youth in improving their country.

Health workers who serve India’s poor and rural citizens are often poorly trained and have limited literacy. With mobile phones able to display audio and video health information in multiple languages, these workers are in a better position to educate the public about major health issues.By Paromita PainTo improve the health of India’s poor and rural citizens, the government uses a corps of community health workers who fan out to rural villages across the country. The program’s strength lies in simple face-to-face interactions health workers have with citizens about basic health issues. A new project is equipping these health workers with mobile phones that guide them as they talk to clients about pressing health concerns.

In 2009, India passed a law guaranteeing every child a free education. A UNICEF campaign uses online tools to inform the public about the law and encourage ordinary citizens to support education – and help make the law a reality.By Paromita PainAn estimated 8 million children in India do not attend school. The reasons behind the great disparity in education are varied and complex. They include a lack of schools, lack of teachers, pressure on children to earn money rather than attend school and certain cultural taboos that prevent children from going to school. Despite these hurdles, the Indian government is taking steps toward meeting the goal of free education for all of the nation’s children.

A new television drama, Nivedita, tries to educate viewers about HIV/AIDS as it entertains them. The show’s creators have developed a rich website and celebrity public service announcements to make sure viewers can find out how to protect themselves or get tested.By Paromita PainNivedita is an Indian television drama about a young woman whose husband is unfaithful to her. So far, a storyline not unlike most soap operas the world over. But what happens next sets Nivedita apart from India’s typical soap opera. Nivedita meets up with her friend, Sushila, who displays all the signs of HIV infection. Nivedita learns that Sushila has contracted it from her husband. She encourages Sushila to go in for testing.

A new effort by the Indian government to monitor electronic communications has gained international attention. Critics warn that it could dampen innovation. Gayatri Murthy looks at the argument that a more restrictive environment might hamper ICT advances that have often helped development goals as much as the individual corporations’ bottom line. By Gayatri Murthy The Indian government may be on the brink of slowing down its information technology revolution by dramatically increasing electronic surveillance in an effort to prevent terrorist attacks. Critics warn that the country risks alienating the very businesses that have fueled the development of technological innovation.

A news service in central India uses mobile phones to overcome barriers like illiteracy and lack of internet access. Reporters file their stories and users listen to them on the phone. CGNet Swara trains people from the tribal populations to become citizen journalists and create a credible and accessible news service.By Paromita PainThe mobile phone revolution in India is actively changing the way people are participating in news production. A new digital news service launched in February of this year employs mobile phones to both receive and broadcast news stories. CGnet Swara, as the project is called, serves residents of Chhattisgarh, a heavily forested state in central India whose tribal populations live primarily off the land.