About Channel 19
What is Channel 19?
Channel 19 is an independent online network to distribute, promote and support community-produced media in the developing world. These videos are about social, economic and local issues the communities want to address within their own community. The Channel 19 platform allows the producers to reach out beyond their communities to the rest of the world and people like you, who can make change.
Why 19?
We draw inspiration from Article 19 of UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states:“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
Who makes the media?
Channel 19 showcases the work of six Community Video Units (CVUs) based in various locations in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh in India. The CVU model was developed by Video Volunteers and the Indian media organization, Drishti, to create self-sustaining producers who can conceptualize, direct, shoot and edit their own media.
The cycle of production to distribution:
The CVUs produce 30-minute “Video News Magazines” on a regular basis and screen them on wide screen projectors to people in their neighboring slums and villages that are affected by the issues the film is addressing. Everything you see on this channel is shot, edited and scripted by forty Community Video Producers from India. Therefore, other than shortening and subtitling this media for the global audience, it is truly media made by and for the communities.Content wise - The topics of these films are not dictated by development experts but are chosen by local Community Editorial Boards. Each video present an issue and solutions to take action on.
Who Built Channel 19?
Channel 19 is created by Video Volunteers, a U.S. based NGO. Video Volunteers has helped 12 Indian NGOs to create Community Video Units in India. Six of these CVUs are currently screening their videos on Channel 19. These NGOs are based in Mumbai – Akshara and Yuva; in Andhra Pradesh – Laya; and in Gujarat - Navsarjan, Saath and Yuvshakti.
Who is involved?
- Our network of Community Video Producers is 25% Muslim, 25% Dalit, 25% Tribal, and 60% women in India.
- The Community Video Units are giving voice to some of the most marginalized and silenced communities in the world.
- In the last 30 months, 75 Community Video Producers have been trained who work in over 200 village and slums. they have made over 50 films and had over 800 screenings seen by 200,000 people.
