Assisted by the community youth reporters, a wave of change now sweeps across Murshidabad. Trained by UNICEF West Bengal in collaboration with Kolkata Press Club and Imagin Community Media, the young reporters are bringing into light critical issues such as education, child marriage, and nutrition in the district. As part of the celebrations for UNICEF’s 75 years of work in India, a team from UNICEF visited Murshidabad to document the efforts of the district’s dedicated community youth reporters.
These youth reporters from different schools of Murshidabad underwent training in the art of journalism, right from reporting techniques to ethics concerning the profession. Equipped with this knowledge, they constitute the frontline in tackling various challenges their communities are facing.
The reporters continue to follow up on the attendance of each child to school and whether child marriages are still occurring, though secretly. The reporters are also checking on the nutrition of the children, ensuring they do not suffer from malnutrition. They don’t just report but actually involve themselves within the community to raise awareness and mobilize for change.
The effort put in by these young reporters has impressed a team of UNICEF experts who recently visited the villages and consisted of communication officers. Their commitment and determination towards bringing about a social change have left the UNICEF officials hopeful about a better future for Murshidabad.
Suchorita Bardhan, Communications Specialist at UNICEF, says, “These community youth reporters are setting a new precedence in the field of youth journalism. They are not just reporters, they are change-makers, helping take society ahead. From health and children’s rights to education and environment, they are covering it all.”
Two of the community youth reporters, students from Murshidabad – Sonali Dey and Rimjhim Mondal – shared their enthusiasm about the work they do. “It’s time to take Murshidabad further and see to it that every child has access to education and proper health. We want to create awareness about these issues and bring about change,” said Sonali. Rimjhim added, “We are proud to be part of this initiative. As community youth reporters we are not raising our voices only but also giving voice to those who generally don’t get heard in our society.”
UNICEF representatives hope that this will inspire more and more young people to come forward in contributing their share towards society. The activities these young reporters have been working on are testimony to the power of education and a call for empowering youth to lead the way to Murshidabad’s better future.
