Note from Harsh Jaitli, CEO, VANI

Media as Medium of Social Change

Mass media has always been the partner of voluntary organizations to achieve social and economic change. It is not only a tool for public education but also an instrument for influencing policy makers. The advocacy groups use it to share their concerns whereas grass roots groups highlight their field experiences through mass media. But since last few years the change in very structure of media has made it very challenging for voluntary organizations to get social issues highlighted. The viability compulsions changed has changed the business model of how the media is structured. The rising cost and competition of survival led to either takeover by corporate houses or drastic reduction of workforce. The revenue from advertisements plays much larger role in the costing of a newspaper or magazine. No doubt the emergence of electronic media changed the way in which news is delivered at short notice, but it is very costly. This medium changed the very face of news-reporting where latest development could be shared with world over in few minutes. The electronic medium played important role in highlighting the atrocities on marginalized, corruption in the system and opinions of social leaders. It is rightly said so that media today can create or demolish any government. It is also a fact that to start a news channel heavy investment is required and to ensure the returns they are forced to participate in race of maximizing their viewership. For the recent months even media has debated over the rising trends of paid news, advertorial, and race for TRPs. Even today large portion of media is concern about their social responsibility.

The similarity between media and voluntary sector is that both of them give voice to the voiceless. The friendly relationship between media and voluntary organizations has resulted in many policy changes. The voluntary organizations engaged in advocacy have gained tremendously by engaging likeminded journalists in creating public opinion. The reports and other findings are shared with them along with organizing exposure visits. Unfortunately, now both the partners are struggling for their survival. The voluntary organizations are facing huge funding cuts along with shrinking spaces; the media is depended on its revenue resources and consequential pressures. The time has come that both partners of change redefine their relationships and identify new ways of working with each other. Rather than going through sinking feeling many voluntary organizations have adopted changes in their approach towards media. The programme staffs of voluntary originations are being trained to write press briefs, new features and mechanism of feeding information regularly. Charkha is one such successful initiative by the voluntary sector. Rather than having one time event, the organizations are trying to have ongoing relationship of information sharing. We need to search for journalists who are committed to the cause of social change and ready to write. Such friends in media must be nurtured. In order to get space in the news slot weather in electronic media or in print, even journalists has to negotiate with content editors. The voluntary organization now believe that your information must be accurate, simple and to-the point. Even today not all believe in advertorials, paid news or blind race of TRPs. We need to indentify such friends in the world of media.

For years, mass media and voluntary organizations have worked together and will continue in future also, but it will depend upon understanding each other’s reality. We need to remind the social responsibility to journalists being trained in institutions. They could be offered field exposure opportunities. They could also be engaged in field interventions ongoing basis. VANI is committed to help, support and facilitate such constructive engagement between both the pillars of change. Please suggest us how you think VANI can play more active role in strengthening the relationship between media and voluntary organizations. Harsh Jaitli

VANI INITIATIVES @ September-October 2010

14th September 2010: Meeting on FCR and Direct Taxes Code Bill

VANI organised a meeting inviting leaders from development sector to discuss the challenges thrown by the, newly passed FCR Bill and the proposed DTC Bill. This august gathering agreed that these two bills are intended towards limiting the available democratic space to the Development Sector by making the functioning of a CSOs challenging. It was also discussed that the cards are open now and we would have to follow the law but we must register our protest and displeasure by using whatever limited space is there for lodging protest and negotiating and advocating with the related ministers etc. More...

16th September, 2010: Appeal letter for NAC members about FCR – Bill

VANI to the national Advisory council to show the concerns of voluntary sector of India on the current FCR act. We are extremely concerned with some of the provisions which can play havoc if not addressed at this stage. These are not only very harsh, but will also create hardship for voluntary organizations. However, at this stage we implore to reconsider one proposed provision with regard to renewal of registration every five years.

19th September, 2010: Annual General Body Meeting, VANI

The Twenty Second of VANI was held on Sunday, the 19th Sept 2010 between 10.00-14.00 hrs at CASA Resource Centre Auditorium, Udaipur (Rajasthan). Following resolutions were taken by end of the meeting More...

8th October, 2010: Letter sent to Shri. Yashwant Sinha , Chairperson , Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance on DTC Bill

letter was sent to Mr. Yashwant Sinha, Chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, Lok Sabha on adverse affects of Direct Taxes Code Bill. Some of the provisions pertaining to “Non-profit Sector” are adverse to the basic philosophy of voluntarism and if passed will adversely affect the very existence of the numerous voluntary organizations in India.

18th October, 2010: Letter sent to (VIP list of VANI) on Short Note on Comparative Taxation Policies

As a part of its campaign of reforming the regulatory regime of voluntary organizations, VANI is undertaking a detailed study on the taxation, registration, foreign contribution and funding related regulations prevalent in some of the major countries of the world. Since DTC is in the Parliament and we are building a case in front of MPs, we have prepared a short note on comparative taxation policies in some of the major countries. More...

18th October, 2010: Visit to Bangladesh

Mr. Harsh Jaitli visited Decca to meet the key people of voluntary organizations like ADAB and FNB. In the past ADAB and VANI have worked together on strengthening national platform initiative under the project supported by coordination SUD. This year in the month of November 2010, VANI is organizing meeting of Asian platforms. Unfortunately from Bangladesh there had been two representing organizations (ADAB and FNB). This issue was raised in Bangkok meeting last year. Just to have discussion with the both the groups and find some solution it was suggested that VANI as a facilitator will visit Decca.

Publications

• CIVIL SOCIETY MAGZINE PUBLISHED ON - Development in Partnership
• Annual Report 2009-10 ( in press )
• Brochure for Crisis Fund

Coming up…..

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