COMMUTINY MEDIA NETWORK

The Need

The need for a network arose from the initial thought within CYC (Commutiny-The Youth Collective) for a platform to bring youth voices to the fore and from the belief that Media is an important medium to get such voices heard and expressed at different levels particularly at the grassroots/ local level. While there are networks focussing on different segments or groups in society and on the interface of such groups with the media (like NWMI- Network of Women in Media), there is no such known network on youth and media.

The networks are considered to be a common way of bringing individuals and/or institutions together to address a common issue/ theme or to get individuals/ institutions show solidarity on a commonly agreed agenda, the network conceived by CYC was more from a felt need perspective of collective members since the voice of the youth was not finding space in the grassroot media the way it should. CYC had from its experience learnt that there are people at the grassroot (urban or rural) who need spaces and opportunity to express themselves on matters of youth development. CYC therefore thought of using writing, film making and comics as a medium for people (from civil society institutions/ organisations) who wish to explore and express on issues of youth development.

GOAL

Enhancing focus on youth development in public spaces through developing media focus.

OBJECTIVES

• Building visibility of youth & youth development issues in mainstream media in India.
• Bringing youth voices and dialogue spaces to mainstream policy makers (Corporate, Media, Government and NGOs)
• Build Capacity of youth and media professionals to program effectively and impactfuly dialogue in the media space.
• Creating Resources that help open up and nurture spaces in mainstream mindsets for youth participation

TARGET GROUPS

· Young People

· Civil Society Organisations

· Vernacular Media

Through intervening with these two key stakeholders, we would further reach out to the larger civil society and other stakeholders.

The Process

CYC was aware of its limitations of having just few partners (organisations and individuals) with whom it had collaborated as a collective, and the network could have been initiated with those, but it did not want to limit itself to just few since the issue needed to be taken to larger number of civil society organisations and the youth populace that it reached out to. With a view to get civil society organisations from different parts of India be a part of the network so that youth voices get articulated in different forms at the local level, CYC took the help of SRTT to identify such organisations.

Keeping in mind the fact that the individuals who would be deputed from the civil society organisations to be part of the CMN (Commutiny Media Network) would spend time and effort to bring youth voices from the area of the organisations (which they represent) on the fore through writing, films and/ or comics, CYC thought of a stipend to compensate such individuals and identified with the individuals as Associates (though initially they were thought of as Fellows).

1^st Meeting/ Consultation of CMN

The first meeting/consultation that was organised by CYC from 29^th November 2009 to 01^st December 2009 at USO House, New Delhi was the beginning of a process to bring Associates from different organisations/ nodes together.

Interestingly, the consultation gave an opportunity to the Associates to identify the tools (writing, films, comics) that were to be used by them in their expression, lay down the values and objectives of CMN, and understand about 'Vidushak'. The consultation also gave an opportunity to the Associates to hear the views of persons from mainstream media. (The report of the first meeting/consultation is being shared as an annexure).

2^nd Meeting/ Consultation of CMN

The second consultation/ meeting that was organised on 09^th-10^th February 2010 at Pastoral Centre, Bhopal was designed primarily to build a common interest among the Associates through a theme around the youth that would facilitate a common sharing and bonding amongst them. The commonly identified issues were youth identity and leadership, and livelihood and discrimination.

As in the previous meeting, the second meeting also had media activists and journalists sharing their experiences, and also giving feedback on media products created by Associates.